Podcasts about Liberal Party

This week on BETOOTA TALKS, the former Liberal candidate for Sydney's Upper North Shore, Gisele Kapterian joins to talk about what drew her to the party - and why she has stayed. Kapterian has been put through the ringer in her effort to represent the people of the Bradfield electorate, and it looks like the old guard of the Liberals are just as difficult to win over as the new Teal voters. Is Kapterian the near extinct moderate politicians that the Coalition desperately needs? It looks like a thankless mission, but she's sticking with it Protect your security online with Bitdefender. Click Here!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has cast severe doubt on the future of the Liberal party, pointing to the explosive growth of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney Now host Clinton Maynard thinks the Liberal Party should split in half because there are people within the party "pulling in completely different directions".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Kevin Donnelly - Author & Education Expert joined Sydney Now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director at Red Bridge and former deputy state director of the Liberal Party, Tony Barry, joined Tony Jones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Albanese government is proposing major changes to the national disability insurance scheme – to cut spending and reduce the number of participants receiving care. Advocates and Australians with disabilities have heavily criticised the proposals during a three-day Senate inquiry this week. The shadow NDIS minister, Melissa McIntosh, speaks to political editor Tom McIlroy about her concerns about the legislation in its current form. The western Sydney MP also responds to One Nation's fundraising results this week, her political future in a seat that has been marked as one that could flip to Pauline Hanson's party, and Tony Abbott's endorsement of preference deals with the insurgent party Read more: We can't deliver ‘like-for-like-services' for people kicked off the NDIS, states warn Albanese government Labor's NDIS overhaul faces delay as Coalition and Greens consider teaming up to slow bill's passage

In this CONVOCO! Podcast, Corinne M. Flick speaks with Michael Ignatieff, former Rector and President of Central European University and Professor in its Department of Historical Studies. From 2008 to 2011, he served as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast!In this episode, Stefano sits down with Canadian immigration lawyer Peter Ivanyi, a political moderate and cultural liberal with more than 30 years of experience working within Canada's immigration system.Peter shares his personal story of arriving in Canada as a refugee from Hungary, building a successful legal career, and representing thousands of clients through refugee claims, immigration appeals, detention hearings, and deportation cases.The conversation explores immigration, politics, media, free speech, government, and the growing political divide in Canada. While Stefano and Peter disagree on many issues, they engage in a respectful and thought-provoking discussion that highlights the importance of open dialogue and challenging ideas.Throughout the episode, Stefano and Peter discuss:• Peter's journey from refugee to immigration lawyer• what immigration lawyers actually do and common misconceptions about the profession• deportations, refugee claims, and Canada's immigration system• whether immigration levels have become too high and their impact on housing and infrastructure• the rise of political polarization in Canada and the United States• social media, outrage culture, and the decline of nuance in public discourse• freedom of speech, censorship, and government regulation online• Bill C-11, Bill C-18, and concerns surrounding government intervention• COVID-19, public trust, and the relationship between citizens and government• government spending, bureaucracy, and the size of the public sector• mainstream media, independent media, and political influence• the 2025 federal election and the Liberal Party's comeback• Pierre Poilievre, Mark Carney, and the future of Canadian politics• why Canadians have become increasingly divided politically• the importance of respectful conversations between people with opposing viewpointsPeter also explains why he believes credibility, honesty, and nuance are often missing from modern political discussions, while Stefano shares concerns about government overreach, free speech, immigration policy, and the direction of the country.This is an honest conversation about immigration, politics, media, freedom, government, and the future of Canada.Grab a casual, lock in, and let's get into it.Host: Stefano (stefo)Instagram: @drstefohttps://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs...Guest: Peter IvanyiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrpeter905?igsh=c20zNjN2eTd5Z2k5This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada's best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more.Follow Canada First on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/canadafirst.inc?igsh=OGd4YjZ5enV0M2t5CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction00:01:10 Why Peter Agreed To Come On00:03:00 Social Media & The Death Of Nuance00:05:20 Peter's Story: Refugee To Immigration Lawyer00:08:00 Conservative Parents & Political Evolution00:11:30 Cultural Liberal, Political Moderate00:13:00 Trudeau, Carney & The 2025 Election00:15:40 Why Pierre Poilievre Lost00:17:50 Is Canadian Media Biased?00:21:00 When The Political Left Goes Too Far00:25:00 Hot Takes, Outrage & Online Credibility00:27:15 Carney, Floor Crossing & Political Strategy00:33:00 Free Speech & Censorship00:36:00 COVID, Government Trust & Overreach00:41:00 Is Government Getting Too Big?00:46:00 Political Polarization & Rising Anger00:51:45 Canada's Immigration Debate Begins00:57:00 Mass Immigration, Housing & Infrastructure01:03:30 Temporary Foreign Workers Explained01:08:30 Refugees vs Economic Immigration01:14:00 Border Security & Deportations01:19:00 Immigration Myths & Media Narratives01:23:30 What Makes Someone Canadian?01:27:00 Multiculturalism & Canadian Identity01:31:30 Pulling Up The Ladder Behind You01:35:30 Does Canada Need Immigration?01:37:00 Final Thoughts & Salute

Trudie Mason is joined by Jonathan Kalles, Senior Vice President at Vantage, a Government Relations and Strategic Communications Firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS. New provincial polling this morning from Synopsis and Lapresse show the Quebec Liberal Party falling while the CAQ tries to make a comeback. The energy drinks ban saga continued yesterday at the National Assembly after two independent MNA’s have voiced their plan to block the fast tracking of the bill until certain criteria is met. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back in the news this morning and not for the reasons that you think. He is under fire for a photo he took with his current girlfriend, pop superstar Katy Perry. Ontario Premier Doug Ford finished his tour of Washington D.C yesterday.

Tom Mulcair can be heard every weekday morning at 7:40 on The Andrew Carter Morning Show.

It's been an interesting past few months for the Federal Conservatives, from several MPs crossing the floor, to reports of inner-circle fighting, to Pierre Poilievre questioning PM Carney's education in economics. In more recent events, the Federal Opposition leader has since claimed that Canada is in a 'full-blown' recession, and has called for unity among Alberta separatists. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Glen McGregor, political correspondent for CityNews to discuss what challenges Poilievre's caucus may return to after the summer recess, and what issues are currently dividing the party. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

If you are worried about China taking over due to having better robots than the yanks, I got mixed messages for ya here. This was created using DeepSeek v4 Pro. Remember when DeepSeek could do the same thing as chatGPT but on shitty processors and not much RAM? All those stocks shit themselves? Oh what memories. Would have been a great time to buy NVIDIA stocks. I didn't, if you're asking....It's pretty good but it really didn't follow the instruction in the prompt that Joel Hill is Jack the Insider on the transcript. So that's a minus point. But also, this took fucking ages to generate. It's better than lots of the yankee slop but damn son this took MINUTES. So they might take over if we are patient or whatever. Enjoy the episode. ----------------------------------------------Joel Hill (Jack the Insider) and Hong Kong Jack return for a sprawling episode that tackles two of the biggest stories shaping politics in 2026. The pair open with the jaw-dropping Redbridge poll putting One Nation at 31% of the primary vote — a number that would all but wipe the National Party off the federal map and potentially deliver Anthony Albanese a strengthened majority government by splintering the right. Joel and Jack clash over whether culture-war grievances or material concerns are driving the surge, while drawing historical parallels to Joh for Canberra and the DLP split of the 1950s.The conversation then crosses hemispheres for a tour through UK chaos: Peter Mandelson's leaked dossier exposing a rudderless No. 10 under Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband pleading guilty to embezzling SNP donations on a surreal shopping spree of Lalique salt shakers, seven Dysons, and a motorhome with four miles on the clock, and a deeply troubling police body-cam incident that has reignited the two-tier policing debate ahead of three critical by-elections.The centrepiece of the episode is a sober, hour-long deep dive into the COVID-19 pandemic and what Australia has refused to learn. The Two Jacks lay out the true death toll (perhaps 22 to 69 million globally), the devastating scale of long COVID, the vaccine rollout failures, the absurdities of hotel quarantine with rubbish bags over heads, and why governments and public health officials are desperate to avoid a Royal Commission. They close by asking whether the next pandemic will meet a population that has permanently lost trust in its leaders — and whether we'll simply repeat the mistakes of both COVID and the Spanish flu.Sport provides a lighter coda: the Carlton revival under an interim coach, James Hird's awkward candidacy at Essendon, the expanded 48-team World Cup that nobody seems excited about, and a formidable New Zealand Test side taking on England at Lord's.00:00:25 — Introduction Joel welcomes listeners to Episode 159, recorded 4 June. Today: Australian political news, a check-in on the UK, and a deep dive into the COVID-19 pandemic.00:01:21 — The Redbridge Poll: One Nation at 31% The AFR's Redbridge poll: One Nation 31%, Labor 28%, LNP 20%, Greens 12%. The two-party preferred is now being calculated as One Nation versus Labor — a seismic shift in how Australian politics is measured.00:03:12 — Not Just a Protest Vote Jack argues this is real, not a re-run of Hanson's 1990s flash-in-the-pan. The South Australian state election and the Farrah by-election suggest One Nation support is durable. Joel counters that protest votes can be expressed at the ballot box and that Australians are tiring of pluralism.00:04:09 — If One Nation Succeeds, Labor Wins The cruel irony: One Nation's rise probably delivers Labor government. The National Party could simply disappear. The DLP kept the Coalition in power for decades as an anti-Labor party; One Nation may do the reverse.00:05:46 — Scrutiny and Splintering Joel notes One Nation's policies are "two-sentence fragments" and motherhood statements. When proper scrutiny arrives, the contradictions will surface. Hanson's parliamentary attendance is as poor as imaginable.00:08:22 — The Third Rail Jack argues populists succeed because they discuss what polite society won't: immigration, culture wars, welcome to country rituals. The major parties must engage these topics or cede the ground entirely.00:11:34 — Feeling Unheard The core driver, Jack contends: voters feel sneered at and silenced by mainstream politics. It's not about flag counts, it's about being listened to.00:13:50 — What Actually Drives Votes Joel pushes back: voting determinants are the household economy, migration, climate change — not culture war trivia. Culture wars "don't amount to a hill of beans" at the ballot box.00:14:51 — The DLP Parallel Both agree the One Nation phenomenon most closely resembles the DLP split of the 1950s and 60s — a right-wing fracture that delivered Labor government after Labor government.00:17:18 — The Republic Referendum Lesson Jack recalls the 1999 republic referendum: pro-republicans split between models rather than uniting, scuppering the whole project. Voters will vote their preference even knowing it helps their enemy.00:19:32 — UK Parallels: Accommodate or Fight? Significant figures in the UK Tory party are debating whether to fight Reform or reach an accommodation. Tony Abbott recently said the Liberal Party won't criticise Pauline Hanson.00:21:48 — Joh for Canberra Redux Imre Salusinszky's comparison: this is "Joh for Canberra" all over again. But Joel notes Joh's moment lasted months; One Nation's has already lasted years.00:24:08 — State Election Previews Joel predicts the Victorian state election will be chaotic and peculiar — a government that's been in power too long, an opposition that may not be up to the task, and One Nation peeling votes from safe Labor seats. NSW will give a clearer reading.00:25:44 — Hanson "Ready to Govern" — from the Senate? Pauline Hanson announced she's ready to govern. Joel asks: shouldn't she contest a lower-house seat first? Jack recalls the only precedent: John Gorton became PM while still a senator, but had to be eased into Kooyong.00:28:20 — The Mandelson Dossier: Starmer's Empty Suit Jack's read of the leaked Mandelson documents: ministers don't know what the PM wants, there's zero respect or fear of his authority. Starmer comes across as an empty chair. One minister's text: "Every meeting with Labour MPs — it's all about who can we tax to pay benefits to other people."00:30:50 — Mandelson's Legal Peril Mandelson is under police investigation for misconduct in public office. Could face charges — the seriousness depends on whether it's mere misconduct or genuine bribery for foreign interests.00:31:49 — The Nicola Sturgeon Saga Her estranged husband has pleaded guilty to embezzling roughly £400,000 in SNP donations. The shopping list: six high-end coffee machines, seven Dyson vacuums, Lalique salt and pepper shakers, Montblanc pens, Swiss watches, an iJag, part of a Volkswagen, and a motorhome with four miles on the clock parked at his 92-year-old mother's house. Nicola claims she "didn't go in the kitchen much."00:34:20 — The BBC Interview Laura Kuenssberg's forensic interview with Sturgeon — "not quite Prince Andrew, but not much better." Sturgeon has been cleared by Police Scotland, but her reputation, already damaged by the Alex Salmond trial, is now in tatters.00:35:05 — Will He Go to Prison? £400,000 is a substantial sum. With another £600,000 unaccounted for, a custodial sentence seems likely. The money was ring-fenced for a second independence referendum push.00:36:50 — Money Laundering or Conspicuous Consumption? Joel wonders if the bizarre purchases — multiple watches on the same day — were an amateur money-laundering attempt: buy goods with SNP funds, sell them quietly for cash.00:38:23 — UK By-elections: Makerfield Looms Three by-elections on 18 June, including the critical Makerfield contest. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester's high-profile mayor, is the tepid favourite. Low turnout could help him return to Westminster.00:39:30 — The Body-Cam Incident A white teenager accused of racially vilifying a Sikh man was stabbed — and police arrested the bleeding victim, not the attacker. Body-cam footage shows the victim saying "I can't breathe, I've been stabbed" while officers dismiss him. Joel calls the footage "just awful."00:41:22 — Two-Tier Policing Jack traces UK policing's overcorrection: after the Macpherson/Lawrence report, guidelines were rewritten so aggressively that they've produced a pattern of questionable enforcement that devastates community trust — and plays directly into Tommy Robinson's hands.00:42:08 — NSW Police on Four Corners Joel recommends the harrowing Four Corners investigation: bashings in custody, false arrests, an officer who threw body-cam footage into Sydney Harbour, and two undercover officers jailed for a savage assault. The problem today is general duties policing, not the specialist squads of the 1980s. Some command areas are far worse than others — a leadership failure.00:44:55 — Victoria Police: Under-Resourced, Not Corrupt Joel shares an anecdote: two divisional vans for 80,000 people in outer-east Melbourne. Tough work being a police officer; even tougher being a good one.The COVID-19 Reckoning00:45:09 — Why This Matters Joel sets the frame: we parked COVID in 2023 with a hangover but never understood what we'd been through. Today's episode aims to crack that problem.00:45:51 — The True Death Toll Officially: 7 million dead. But most countries stopped testing and stopped reporting cause-of-death data to the WHO. Using excess mortality, the real toll is between 22 and 69 million — at the high end, exceeding the Spanish flu.00:47:02 — Long COVID's Shadow Roughly 400 million people globally (6% of the population) have experienced long COVID. In Australia alone, between 200,000 and 500,000 people are living with or have lived with the condition. Second infections can be worse. Emerging links to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and accelerated dementia.00:49:43 — The Collective Amnesia Governments worldwide have "a collective embarrassment" about how they handled the pandemic, Jack says. They want it in the history books and forgotten. Joel says this is a grave mistake for public trust — and for public health, given COVID is now a permanent fixture alongside flu season.00:50:50 — Why Excess Deaths Are the Only Honest Metric All other figures are "kind of made up" because attribution methods vary wildly between countries. Excess deaths remain elevated in Australia and most nations.00:51:25 — Children and COVID Bobby Kennedy Jr. removed under-18s from government-supported vaccines in the US. Joel argues this is a disastrous move given mounting evidence that childhood COVID infection leads to higher rates of long-term chronic illness.00:52:47 — Why No Royal Commission? Not just politicians protecting themselves — public health officials and much of the media wanted to avoid scrutiny of their judgments and actions during the pandemic.00:53:32 — The Media's Abdication Jack watched "a lot" of Daniel Andrews's daily press conferences. Only two journalists ever asked pertinent questions: Rachel Baxendale and Leigh Sales. Nobody asked why curfews, why beach arrests, why the disparate impact on tradies and cafe owners while the "laptop class" actually made money working from home.00:56:14 — Andrews's Immense Popularity Joel adds context: Andrews was wildly popular at the time, which partly explains the media's deference — though Jack insists that shouldn't have mattered.00:57:34 — The Curfew Nonsense Curfews were about giving law enforcement the easiest possible environment, Joel says — and should have been acknowledged as such and wound back sooner. Meanwhile, Bondi's wealthy swam en masse while Western Sydney's working-class communities were treated harshly.00:57:59 — The Vaccine Rollout Failure The Morrison government bet everything on AstraZeneca — the non-mRNA, first-available vaccine. Then rare blood-clotting issues emerged (seven deaths, mainly men aged 40–49). Meanwhile, Australia was left waiting for Pfizer and other mRNA vaccines because no other supply deals had been secured.00:59:37 — Omicron Breaks the Pandemic's Back The Omicron variant emerged from South Africa: more infectious but far less lethal. Combined with 95%+ vaccination rates among Australians over 18, it effectively ended the acute phase — though at the cost of entrenched mistrust.01:00:38 — Government Overreach and Broken Trust Jack's core criticism: governments outsourced decision-making to public health officials rather than making political judgments that balanced competing interests. Joel counters that it would have been a "bold move" for politicians with no scientific background to contradict public health advice.01:02:19 — "Just Let It Rip" Was Never an Option The three countries with the highest COVID mortality — Brazil (highest), United States (second), India (third) — were all led by populist governments that largely refused mandates. Letting it rip was devastating.01:03:27 — The ADF Quarantine Scandal Scott Morrison refused to allow ADF quarantine facilities to be used for returning travellers. Instead, people were crammed into hotels with gaps under the doors. Joel recalls the "rubbish bags over heads" episode in Victoria — dark green plastic bags as infection control.01:05:00 — The Inquiry's Recommendations Create a proper Australian CDC. Release expert advice publicly. Better national planning with clear political accountability. And critically: politicians must own the big decisions on freedoms and spending instead of hiding behind experts.01:06:01 — The Next Pandemic There will be another one. If it's a respiratory, airborne pathogen like COVID, similar circumstances will return. Are we ready? Probably not. Will we close the country again? The economic damage — unemployment hitting 7.5% in 2020 — was enormous, even if it recovered to 3.5% by pandemic's end.01:08:06 — Who Was Left Behind? The arts community was inexplicably excluded from JobSeeker and JobKeeper. Meanwhile, the "laptop class" working from home effectively got a 15% pay rise by eliminating commuting costs. Bunnings did very well; so did companies that kept JobKeeper without passing it to employees.01:11:14 — The Human Cost of Lockdowns Public housing towers in Flemington were locked down. Joel recalls one family: an African-Australian single mother with nine children in a two-bedroom commission flat, trapped. Jack calls what happened with schools "disgraceful." But Joel notes the evidence now shows childhood COVID infection has serious long-term health consequences, complicating the retrospective judgment.01:13:59 — Will We Learn Anything? Jack's bleak prediction: the next pandemic is probably far enough away that we'll take no notice of COVID's lessons and make the same mistakes. Joel agrees — we didn't learn from the Spanish flu a century ago either.01:15:51 — Malcolm Roberts and Vaccine Misinformation The One Nation senator claims 70,000 Australians died from COVID vaccines — a figure with no evidentiary support, built by misattributing excess deaths. In reality, mRNA technology is now being deployed as a cancer treatment, showing promise against bowel and pancreatic cancers.01:17:36 — Trust Destroyed If the next pandemic arrives within this generation, governments will face a population that has lost faith. If it takes 50 years, the damage may have faded. Western Australia, meanwhile, locked itself down with negligible deaths and actually loved the isolation — provided the iron ore and LNG ships kept moving.01:20:37 — The Spanish Flu Echo Joel's closing historical note: Australia's response to the Spanish flu in 1919–1921 was nearly identical to COVID — lockdown disputes, police arresting people for not wearing masks, states fighting the newly created federal Department of Health. The whole thing collapsed into acrimony the moment state rivalries flared. A century later, nothing had changed.01:21:48 — Federation as Fatal Flaw Jack adds: the three high-mortality COVID countries (US, Brazil, India) share a feature beyond populist leaders — they're all federations where central government power is limited. When "the emperor is far away and the mountains are high," coordinated pandemic response is nearly impossible.01:23:40 — No Appetite for Truth Jack's final word: nobody wants a proper inquiry. Not politicians, not public health officials, not much of the media. Joel disagrees on the importance — the pandemic's legacy still shapes how Australians think, vote, and trust.Sport01:27:40 — AFL Coaching Carousel Essendon and Carlton both need permanent coaches. Joel asks: is James Hird the right man for Essendon? Jack: 17 other clubs wouldn't give him an interview, but the Bombers may have backed themselves into a corner where appointing him is the only way out.01:28:53 — Merit vs Member Sentiment Rowan Connolly's question: would you take James Hird or John Longmire (five grand finals, one premiership, 60%+ win rate)? The answer is obvious on merit — but members and fans want the fairy tale.01:29:47 — Carlton's Astonishing Revival Three straight wins. Ranked 16th in forward-50 entries a month ago; now second. The game style is unrecognisable — no more bombing the ball to non-existent power forwards. Mitch McGovern's low, flat kick to Patrick Cripps for the match-winner against Geelong was emblematic of the transformation. Seven players aged 21 or younger are now getting games and bringing energy.01:33:18 — FIFA World Cup 2026: Nobody's Excited Expanded to 48 teams, Scotland are going — and a Scot in his 30s told Jack that neither he nor any of his mates (all doing well financially, normally first on the plane) have any interest. Ticket prices are "extraordinary." The final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — which Jack describes as "Waverley on steroids, but even more bleak."01:36:08 — Australia's Draw Socceroos face Turkey first up, then the United States. Jack suggests marketing it as "Gallipoli Round Two." Spain are favourites; England, Brazil, and Germany are in the chasing pack.01:37:06 — Cricket: England v New Zealand, First Test at Lord's Joel runs through New Zealand's likely top seven — Latham, Conway, Williamson, Ravindra, Mitchell, Blundell — noting the first four have all made Test double-centuries. "Just about the best first six in Test cricket." With O'Rourke's express pace and Henry's quality, this is a formidable Black Caps side.01:38:40 — Stump Speech & Next Week Listener mail (including an "exposé of who Jack is") held over for next episode. For the record: Hong Kong Jack's CV includes HSC at Assumption College Kilmore, a stint as a carpenter, a law degree from Melbourne University, stints at Holding Redlich and Slater & Gordon, work as a litigation and immigration lawyer, and an appointment to the Refugee Review Tribunal as a federal cabinet appointee.01:40:39 — Outro Joel thanks listeners for hanging in for an extra ten minutes. Back next week.The Two Jacks is recorded weekly. Send your questions and feedback to the show.

Standing ovations are rare at Davos, the annual World Economic Forum conference. But Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney tore the roof down with a speech calling on the world's middle powers to forge a united path away from the hegemony of American power. And Trump isn't happy about it. Geraldine Doogue and Latika Bourke speak to former Canadian Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff about how much Australia and Canada have in common, and why Europe and Great Britain are the middle powers to watch. Guest: Michael Ignatieff, Professor at the Central European University in Vienna and former leader of the Liberal Party of CanadaGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.auFind all the episodes of Global Roaming now via the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode originally aired on January 28, 2026

THE OTHER SIDE - FULL Episode 518 - For weekend commencing Friday 5 June 2026.  WOMEN DAMAGING WOMEN...Australian women sick of radical gender ideology are pushing back harder than ever on the feminist "progressive" left who dominate government and institutional culture these days. Our special guest this week is Stephanie Bastiaan from the Australian Women's Forum who wrote in The Spectator that “The institutions hollowing out women's sex-based rights are not run by shadowy men in back rooms. They are run, increasingly, by women: a majority-female federal Labor government, a public service that is 60 per cent women, a thicket of agencies where the gatekeepers of our rights are overwhelmingly female – and they all seem to sit on the same side of progressive politics.” Also...  -- Grace Tame gets awarded a podcast at taxpayers expense.  Damian wants to know when his cheque will be arriving in the mail from the government to help fund The Other Side! -- Why we should be celebrating, not bemoaning, AUKUS. -- And One Nation in front - the Liberal Party's delusions remain in full public view as the "moderates" STILL can't see the writing on the wall. [Ad] Support our show and yourself by supporting our two great sponsors! Go to https://piavpn.com/OTHERSIDE to get 83% off Private Internet Access with 4 months free! And please join THE EXCLUSIVE SIDE at https://www.othersidetv.com.au/ Follow us on X @OtherSideAUS Subscribe NOW on YouTube @OtherSideAUSSupport the showJoin The EXCLUSIVE Side at www.OtherSideTV.com.au and help us revolutionise Aussie media! The Other Side  is a weekly news/commentary show on YouTube @OtherSideAus and available to watch FREE here: https://www.youtube.com/@OtherSideAusNEW EPISODES DROP EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT Follow us on X  @OtherSideAUS

Richard Zussman, Western Canada Vice President of Public Affairs at Burson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday Headlines: Israel strikes southern Lebanon despite Trump’s announcement Changes to the NDIS will cause ‘material harm’ to disabled Australians Barnaby Joyce joins anti-abortion rally in Sydney Charlie Pickering calls Grace Tame's ABC podcast 'problematic' The ‘franken-can’ named Australia’s worst packaging Deep Dive: Tony Abbott is back in frontline Liberal Party politics, after being appointed the party’s Federal President. But not everyone in the party is convinced it's a good idea. Supporters see Abbott as a powerful communicator who can help reconnect the Liberals with their base, while critics fear his return could overshadow leader Angus Taylor and deepen divisions between the party's conservative and moderate wings. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with AFR political editor Phillip Coorey about why Abbott is back, how much influence a party president really has, and whether his return can help reverse the Liberal Party's decline Further listening from the headlines:“Globalise the Intifada” explained Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles was looking to make a big new purchase, but now he's second-guessing himself. Because isn't it better to just re-buy what you already have, and never upgrade? Plus, Dom takes a look at the nostalgic new direction of the Liberal Party.---Listen AD FREE: https://thechaserreport.supercast.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @chaserwarSpam Dom's socials: @dom_knightSend Charles voicemails: @charlesfirthEmail us: podcast@chaser.com.auChaser CEO's Super-yacht upgrade Fund: https://chaser.com.au/support/ Send complaints to: mediawatch@abc.net.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will and Grace star Debra Messing has revealed she felt betrayed by Hollywood after the October 7 attacks, is Tony Abbott the answer to the Liberal Party's woes? Plus, the Bankstown nurses launch a bid to have their viral video thrown out of court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Abbott is one of our most divisive former prime ministers. Lauded in conservative political circles, and mocked outside of them.And now, after he was knifed by his own party as a first-term prime minister, and then lost his political seat, Abbott is back.Today chief political commentator James Massola discusses Abbott's selection as the new president of the Liberal Party and the risk, and reward, he poses to Opposition leader Angus Taylor.Background listening: Tony Abbott's interview on Inside Politics – On running for Senate, AUKUS and cultural ‘self-loathing’. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Abbott is one of our most divisive former prime ministers. Lauded in conservative political circles, and mocked outside of them.And now, after he was knifed by his own party as a first-term prime minister, and then lost his political seat, Abbott is back.Today chief political commentator James Massola discusses Abbott's selection as the new president of the Liberal Party and the risk, and reward, he poses to Opposition leader Angus Taylor.Background listening: Tony Abbott's interview on Inside Politics – On running for Senate, AUKUS and cultural ‘self-loathing’. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott didn't exactly disappear from the limelight after he lost his seat in the ‘teal' wave of 2019, but his new role as Liberal president has many asking: why is the party bringing him back now? Chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to Nour Haydar about how Abbott's appointment could change the party – and shape conservative politics in Australia

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On this week's episode of the Unnatural Selection Podcast, we discuss: US strikes Iran missile sites and mine laying vessels as Trump's promised peace deal remains elusive.Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explodes on launch pad during engine-firing test.Former prime minister Tony Abbott elected unopposed as Liberal Party president.Rescuers shocked, relieved as remaining four Laos villagers emerge safely from cave. Unnatural Selection is a deeply unqualified Australian and American political comedy podcast. Hosted by Jorge Tsipos, Adam Direen, and Tom Heath, the show attempts to make sense of the weekly news cycle through a highly unserious lens.Find more episodes and links at www.UnnaturalShow.com.Disclaimer: Unnatural Selection is a comedy podcast. The political commentary, news analysis, and general banter are for comedic purposes and should absolutely not be taken seriously.#auspol #uspol #politicalcomedy #australianpolitics #uspolitics #newsandpolitics #comedypodcastTwitter:@JorgeTsipos@UnnaturalShowInstagram:@JorgeTsipos@UnnaturalShowThreads:@tom.heath@JorgeTsipos@UnnaturalShow

NATO condemns Russia over drone attack in Romania; Former prime minister Tony Abbott says his priority is to rebuild the Liberal Party in his new role as party president; And in football, Cristian Volpato switches allegiance to Australia ahead of the Socceroos squad announcement.

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah looks at what happens when political parties mistake nostalgia for strategy and spreadsheets for compassion.Tony Abbott returns as Liberal Party president, raising questions about whether the Coalition plans to solve its existential crisis or simply appoint it to a leadership role. Meanwhile, sweeping changes to the NDIS could see hundreds of thousands of Australians lose access to support, generating considerably less outrage than proposed tax changes affecting property investors.Plus, BHP's green ambitions collide with leaked internal documents, KPMG discovers the risks of ignoring whistleblowers, and Donald Trump attempts to resolve the Iran conflict by threatening… Oman.All that, and more.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's really driving the rise of Pauline Hanson, Nigel Farage, and the global populist wave? Internationally renowned political strategist Isaac Levido joins the Menzies Research Centre's David Hughes to break down why voters across Australia, the UK, and the US are abandoning traditional parties in droves. From masterminding the 2019 Conservative and Liberal Party election wins, to working inside Downing Street, Isaac brings rare, frontline insight to the biggest political question of our time: why are voters so angry, and is anyone listening? We cover: Why the social contract between citizens and government has broken down The tech revolution that's making government look worse by comparison Why "small target" election strategies are backfiring on the ALP and Starmer's Labour What Pauline Hanson and Nigel Farage actually have in common How businesses can protect themselves in an era of voter rage and regulatory risk "Voters aren't stupid. They're doing everything right — working hard, paying their taxes — and they just can't get ahead." If you want to understand where Western democracy is heading, this is the conversation to watch. This podcast was recorded at a Menzies Research Centre event in May 2026. Join our mailing list: https://www.menziesrc.org/email Read out policy work: https://www.menziesrc.org/home Support the Menzies Research Centre: https://www.menziesrc.org/donate Timestamps: 00:00 – Global populism trends and data 02:11 – Introducing Isaac Levido03:03 – From Regional NSW to the halls of power06:46 – Why British conservatives keep hiring Australians10:25 – Can a great campaigner also govern? Lessons from Downing Street13:09 - How governments should build & spend political capital15:50 - The "Small Target" trap: how Labor & Starmer won the wrong way18:34 - Why u-turning politicians are destroying voter trust23:01 – The establishment has misread voters for decades26:32 – The tech divergence: why government looks worse by comparison30:58 - Pauline Hanson vs. Nigel Farage: leaders or movements?36:36 – What UK business really thinks about a Farage Government40:41 – Was post-war stability the historical anomaly?43:50 – How businesses misread their own customers and what to do about it48:53 – Why companies should stay out of culture wars52:20 – Closing remarks & will Isaac return to Australia?

Australia's teal independents could band together to form a new party, according David Pocock, with the aim to push back against the growing influence of One Nation. The talks are reportedly led by Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender. Australian correspondent Steve Price says the new party could be the end of the Liberal Party in Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his biggest address so far, shadow treasurer Tim Wilson described the federal budget as an ‘economic earthquake' at the National Press Club this week. He speaks with political editor Tom McIlroy about Paul Keating's criticism of the Coalition's response to Labor's tax reforms, and defends Angus Taylor's controversial migration policy – which links housing completion and restricts access to welfare support

With the Liberal Party in a political death spiral, it was perhaps inevitable that when Opposition Leader Angus Taylor gave his budget reply speech last week, he’d swing for the fences.But could his much-awaited immigration policy help fix Australia's housing crisis?Today, chief political commentator James Massola on what Angus Taylor means when he says his policy proposal “puts Australians first”.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Elon Musk loses high profile lawsuit against Open AI Australians among those on-board Israeli-seized Gaza flotilla Sydney triple murder a suspected domestic violence incident Global scramble underway to try to stem Ebola outbreak Social media ban preventing Aussie teens from accessing news Two men arrested over stunt at Punch the monkey’s enclosure Deep Dive: The Coalition has spent the last year in the political wilderness, battling an increasingly influential One Nation and a failure to present genuine and clear policies. Last week, opposition leader Angus Taylor issued his budget reply speech, with a focus on taxes and migration as a way to win back disaffected voters. In this special two-part interview, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with the deputy leader of the Liberal Party, Senator, Jane Hume, about whether this budget platform will be the one to claw them back votes and re-cement them as a meaningful opposition to Labor. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of our chat with the deputy leader of the Liberal Party, Senator Jane Hume, we get into her party’s migration policy and what the “right mix” of migrants looks like in Australia. After announcing welfare would be limited to citizens in its budget reply, the Coalition has been asked whether it’s failed in its promise to not become ‘One Nation Lite’ and if its future could include Pauline Hanson’s party. Hume responds to those questions, as well as Sussan Ley’s claims that the Coalition is worse off now than it was when she was dumped. Listen to part one here. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Liberal Party in a political death spiral, it was perhaps inevitable that when Opposition Leader Angus Taylor gave his budget reply speech last week, he’d swing for the fences.But could his much-awaited immigration policy help fix Australia's housing crisis?Today, chief political commentator James Massola on what Angus Taylor means when he says his policy proposal “puts Australians first”.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of a dominant political victory, what are the challenges for One Nation in navigating a path to opposition status in Australian politics? Does Angus Taylor have the political capital to survive the long road back to political relevance for the Liberal Party? Will One Nation's uncompromising anti-immigration rhetoric backfire in urban seats and do they have the party discipline to grow into an effective alternate party government? Psephologist Ben Raue and Political scientist Dr Jill Sheppard join Democracy Sausage live in the Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre to dissect the Farrer by-election result and its implications, if any, on politics beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Headlines: One Nation aims for Western Sydney next, says Barnaby Joyce Media boss Catalano faces court over assault allegations Trump calls Iran peace plan “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Australian pharmaceutical giant CSL suffers 17pc one-day drop Delta Goodrem walks the ‘turquoise carpet’ for Eurovision Deep Dive: Pauline Hanson joins Natarsha Belling for a conversation about the wipeout election in Farrer. One Nation won its first lower house seat in the federal parliament, and is already aiming for more. How does Hanson feel about the Liberal Party? Should Australians trust someone who has been to prison? Are her supporters racist? Senator Pauline Hanson responds. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After crushing the Coalition in its regional heartland, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is on a high and dreaming big. 

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah looks at the stories Australia keeps turning into culture wars instead of solving.The death of Kumanjayi Little Baby reignites debate around Indigenous communities, systemic neglect, Welcome to Country ceremonies, and the country's ongoing inability to confront its own contradictions. Sami explores the idea of the “Pink Flamingo”: the national dysfunction everyone sees but nobody meaningfully addresses.Meanwhile, the Liberal Party responds to electoral collapse by considering a return to Tony Abbott, because apparently the answer to political failure is expired yoghurt conservatism.And in journalism, former Age editor Michael Gawenda and writer Jeff Sparrow collide in a debate over objectivity, activism, and whether journalists still know the difference between reporting facts and performing politics online.All that, and more.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talu ona fa'avaeina le nofoa o Farrer i le 1949, na o vaega 'upufai a le Nationals ma le Liberals na umia le nofoa. O le sui mulimuli nei, o Sussan Ley, lea na 25 tausaga o se'ei i le nofoa, ae na fa'amavae i le tausaga nei ina ua lē toe palotaina o ia e le fa'afaletui e ta'ita'ia le Liberal Party ma le itū-agai.

John Black, of political profiling firm Australian Development Strategies joins Philip Clark with a special look at why the Farrer by-election, which is anything but typical. 

Headlines: ‘ISIS brides’ and children landing around 5:30pm AEST Education platform Canvas hit by global data breach, with Aussies affected Apparent Epstein suicide note is unsealed Melbourne reverses course on Fed Square FIFA matches ... and French professor investigated for awarding fake prize to himself Deep Dive: When the Liberal Party dumped Sussan Ley as leader, they inadvertently set up a direct challenge with One Nation. Ley’s old seat of Farrer is going to a by-election this weekend, and One Nation is aiming to win its first seat in the House of Representatives. The Liberal candidate isn’t even a frontrunner; instead, the competition is between the independent Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation's candidate David Farley. Is One Nation about to become an existential risk to the Coalition? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Tony Barry, an expert political consultant from the Redbridge Group. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 Another mystery filing under seal from the government in the Abrego Garcia case hits the docket; Trump signs a new executive order ramping up the police state; Amazon was going to add tariff tax costs to their products until the White House talked Bezos out of it; DHS ran 1.3M foreign student names through a database to track criminal charges in order to target their visas; an Oklahoma city family is traumatized after an ICE raid on the wrong home; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is suing the Trump regime after unlawful board firings; more dirt on former North Dakota senator Ray Holmberg - this time call logs showing conversations between him and the former state attorney general; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News. MSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlue Guest: Jess Piper The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper Blue Missouri @piperformissouri.bsky.social - BlueSky Piper For Missouri - facebook Jessica Piper (@piper_for_missouri) • Instagram Jess Piper (@jesspipermo) | TikTok Stories: Trump complained to Bezos before Amazon said it scrapped idea to display tariff cost | CNBC Kyle Cheney: "HAPPENING NOW: DHS official tells court that agency diverted 10-20 employees to run *1.3 million* names of foreign students…| BlueSky 'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects | KFOR  Call logs show Holmberg, former AG communicated amid federal sex crime investigation | North Dakota Monitor Corporation for Public Broadcasting sues Trump after attempted board firings | The Washington Post Trump Issues Executive Order Ramping Up American Police State | Rolling Stone Mark Carney's Liberal Party wins federal election in Canada | AP News Reminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:https://apple.co/3XNx7ckWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?https://patreon.com/thedailybeanshttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/https://apple.co/3UKzKt0 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Farrer byelection is just days away and the former prime minister has stern words for his party: ‘Echo the hateful policies of One Nation and risk becoming a recruiting agent for extremist groups' Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Episode #528: Ola Elvestuen has devoted his political career—and much of his life beyond politics—to tackling the most urgent environmental and societal challenges facing the global community. A member of Norway's Liberal Party since 2013, he has served as Minister of Climate and the Environment and held several high-ranking positions in both local and national government. As a young man in the late 1980s, Elvestuen witnessed a world in upheaval: the fall of the Berlin Wall, the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, and Myanmar's 8888 Uprising. The latter left a particular mark on him and many in Norway, embedding the Burmese struggle deep within Norwegian politics and foreign policy. During the democratic opening of the 2010s, Norway emerged as an important player, pairing diplomatic support with investments in critical industries such as hydropower, oil and gas exploration, and telecommunications. Yet Elvestuen points to a defining controversy in 2022, when Telenor—Norway's majority state-owned telecom giant—sold its Burmese operations to entities with close ties to the junta, effectively handing over sensitive user data. The decision drew sharp criticism from activists and rights groups who warned of the dangers for dissidents, journalists, and civil society. When the military launched a coup in 2021, Elvestuen watched with dismay, arguing the international community should have reacted immediately and forcefully. “The demonstrations that were held were incredible,” he says, “but they did not get the support that they should have gotten in the early days!” For Elvestuen, the path forward is clear: only a federal democracy can secure Myanmar's future, and Norway must play a meaningful role in supporting it. He argues that sustainable environmental initiatives should progress alongside the political struggle, pointing to Myanmar's extraordinary biodiversity and the severe climate threats it faces. In closing, Elvestuen reminds listeners that the urgency of Myanmar's situation extends far beyond its borders. “That is what we [Norway and the West] had to do with Ukraine,” he says, “and that is also the position that we should have with the revolution in Myanmar.”

There were ugly scenes at Anzac Day dawn services when a small handful of people booed during the welcome to country in several cities. Most politicians condemned the behaviour, including opposition leader Angus Taylor, but he nevertheless said the next day that he thought the ceremonies were ‘overused' and that he understood Australians' frustration with them. In the same interview, he also said in relation to immigration there was a higher risk ‘that some bad people' come from ‘bad countries'. Jo Tovey sits down with Mike Ticher, Patrick Keneally and Krishani Dhanji to discuss the risks of chasing One Nation to the right

This episode of Socially Democratic brings Stephen, David, and Jessie back together to discuss Labor news and politics over the past month - and envision what's to come.They cover:

In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, I examine the slow-motion collapse of the political order that has defined British politics for a century – and what is likely to replace it.The term "political earthquake" gets overused. What is happening in Great Britain is more like a once‑in‑a‑century end of a political order. It began in 2024 with the death of the Conservative Party – a party that is unlikely to restore itself. And it will continue over the next few years with the death of the Labour Party.The May local elections, just a week away, will mark a major step. Labour is almost certain to lose two of the places it has dominated for generations: Wales (for a century) and London (for half a century). But this isn't just about one bad election night. It is the culmination of decades of neoliberal economics, deindustrialisation, austerity, and the systematic destruction of any alternative vision within the mainstream parties.I draw a historical parallel with the last time Britain's party system realigned: the years after the First World War, when the Liberal Party – the party of 19th‑century capital, free trade, and limited government – collapsed, replaced by a two‑party system of Labour and Conservatives. That system, cemented in 1945, survived for nearly eighty years. Now it is dying.The culprits are not just individual leaders. Thatcherism broke union power, atomised communities, and left Britain poorer and more unequal. The 2008 financial crisis blew up the economic assumptions of that model. Brexit smashed Britain's role as a transatlantic bridge between Washington and Brussels. Austerity killed hundreds of thousands, collapsed public services, and turned the country into a nation in de‑development. The Labour right's merciless destruction of the Corbyn movement left the party in the hands of a centrist technocrat, Keir Starmer – a man who, despite his blandness, has gleefully embraced racist rhetoric on immigration, supported Israel's genocide in Gaza, and handed state functions over to private equity vultures.Starmer's Labour has tried to tack to the right, hoping that voters will hold their noses and vote for "not far‑right". But that strategy is failing. In recent by‑elections, voters ignored Labour's warnings and voted Green or Plaid Cymru – proving that the old "vote for us or you'll get the fascists" threat no longer works.So what comes next? The beneficiaries are two very different parties. Reform UK – funded by a reclusive Bitcoin billionaire, backed by the propaganda channel GB News – offers a populist, proto‑fascist nationalism. The Green Party – untainted by private donations, hostile to the tabloid press, and offering a genuine left‑wing economic alternative – has already won a stunning by‑election on an anti‑racist, cost‑of‑living platform.The next decade could see Britain's political landscape transformed. A two‑party system of Reform and Greens is possible – though each would feel like an enemy occupation to the other side's voters. What is certain is that the old order is being taken out to a field and put out of its misery. And what caused it? Five decades of neoliberalism – an economic project that both main parties embraced, whose contradictions they are now incapable of addressing.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ralph welcomes journalist and author Megan Greenwell to discuss her book "Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream." Then, Ralph speaks to James Zogby (co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute) about the recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon.Megan Greenwell is a journalist who has written or edited for publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, WIRED, and ESPN. She is also the deputy director of the Princeton Summer Journalism Program, a workshop and college-access initiative for students from low-income backgrounds. She is the author of Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream.The real trick with private equity (and this was the thing that made me want to write a book on it) is that when they take out those billions of dollars worth of loans (if you're buying a bigger company), the private equity firm is not responsible for paying those loans back. Only the portfolio company in whose name the private equity firm has taken the money out is on the hook for that money. And so what you end up with is this split in incentive where what's good for the private equity firm is not necessarily what's good for its own portfolio company.Megan Greenwell[Congress hasn't repealed the carried interest loophole] because Congress is in the pocket of the private equity industry. 88% of members of the House and Senate take donations from private equity. Interestingly, Donald Trump has called twice for the carried interest loophole to be closed. And still, even he, as much of a stranglehold as he has on the Republican Party, he can't build support for it among Republicans. Because they're all taking private equity money, as are the vast majority of the Democrats. So this is not a partisan issue.Megan GreenwellOne of the reasons I was really interested to write this book as a series of narrative profiles of people trying to do something about [private equity] is: none of them are trying to do something about it through the federal government. And I think when we talk about “Only the federal government can save us,” we really risk turning people away from trying to do anything. And I think we've seen on the private equity issue there has been some really interesting movement on the state level in several places—real reforms that are much easier to accomplish on the state level than on the federal level.Megan GreenwellJames Zogby is co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute, and he is featured frequently on national and international media as an expert on Middle East affairs. Since 1992, he has written a weekly column— “Washington Watch” —that is published in 12 countries. He is the author of several books, including Looking at Iran: The Rise and Fall of Iran in Arab Public Opinion, The Tumultuous Decade: Arab, Turkish, and Iranian Public Opinion - 2010-2019, Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why it Matters, and Palestinians: The Invisible Victims.Not only are thousands being killed [in Lebanon], but there's a process underway of demolishing villages, obviously expelling lots of people, creating internal refugees and sectarian tension as a result of it. And clearly (as Israel has stated, and I think we have to believe them), that they actually want to annex the territory up to the Litani River and maybe even further. They call it a buffer zone, but we've heard that buffer zone stuff before. It's merely a way of taking new land and providing opportunities for settlements.James ZogbyAs we saw ourselves in Vietnam, as we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan, Israel is now getting PTSD reports that are deeply disturbing to them. They're getting suicides. They're getting an exhausted military. They're not exhausted with the weapons that they're losing (because they're losing a lot and they're using a lot), they're getting emotionally and physically exhausted. Look, when the soldiers do what they've been doing—which is basically inhuman behavior, I mean, it's disgraceful behavior—it begins to eat away at the soul. You get these suicides. You get these emotional collapses. And what gets me upset is that—72,000 Palestinians dead, a few Israeli soldiers having PTSD and trauma and committing suicide becomes a news story? My feeling has to be with the Lebanese and Palestinians.James ZogbyWhen I hear on the DNC from other members who say to me, “When you talk about Israeli genocide, that's anti-Semitic, it makes me uncomfortable,” I said, “You know what makes me uncomfortable? That genocide is actually taking place. And it makes me equally uncomfortable that you won't admit it or even want us to talk about it.”James ZogbyNews 4/17/26* Our top story this week comes to us from New York City, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani is delivering on yet another campaign promise thought impossible by mainstream pundits and beltway insiders: the creation of municipal grocery stores. Capping off his first 100 days in office, Mayor Mamdani delivered remarks in front of La Marqueta in East Harlem, the site of one of the original city-run grocery stores created under Fiorello LaGuardia. Mamdani laid out how the stores will operate, noting that while “A private operator will run the store,” they will “answer to the standards the city will set…[including] requirements that at our stores bread will be cheaper. Eggs will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation. And workers will be treated with dignity.” Mamdani plans to have the first of these stores open in 2027 and stores in all five boroughs open by the end of his term in 2029. This from NBC4 New York.* Meanwhile, in New York's 10th congressional district, former NYC Comptroller and Mamdani ally Brad Lander is aligning himself with AOC and calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel. In a meeting with a group of local journalists, Lander said “We need to follow the Leahy Law and condition all of our foreign policy aid on human rights and international law compliance…At the moment, Israel is very far from complying with human rights and international law. So I would not vote for any more aid,” adding that he “hopes” Israel will “[get] there.” The Forward notes that this is an evolution from the position he took during his mayoral candidacy last year. At that time Lander opposed sending offensive weapons to Israel, but believed that the US should keep funding Israel's Iron Dome, per the New York Post. Through a representative, Lander's opponent in this race, incumbent Congressman Dan Goldman, told the Forward he “will always support defensive systems,” like Iron Dome.* The liberal Zionist organization J Street is also shifting its position. The Middle East Eye reports the group is calling for an end to “direct” US military support to Israel, according to a new policy paper. To be clear however, while this does mark a shift from J Street's previous position that the U.S. should provide defensive weapons systems – like resupply for Iron Dome, at no cost to Israelis – J Street now argues that Israel should simply purchase these weapons instead. In short, J Street is arguing that Israel is rich enough to provide for its own defense and that the American financial subsidies are “unnecessary and politically counterproductive, creating avoidable tensions in US domestic politics and in the bilateral relationship.” This is in line with statements by Netanyahu himself, who has made it clear that Israel wants to reduce its reliance on U.S. military aid “all the way down to zero.”* In other news, Reuters reports Apple is closing several of its brick-and-mortar stores, including the first ever unionized Apple store. Over 100 workers at the store, located in Towson Town Center mall in Maryland, voted to join the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) in 2022; Reuters notes that “a similar union drive in Atlanta [around that same time] was withdrawn, ‌with ⁠Apple workers alleging intimidation.”At the other stores being shuttered, employees were offered the option to continue their jobs at other nearby Apple stores. At the Towson store however, Apple is claiming that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation. The union says this is “false” and is reportedly exploring all legal options. IAM also expressed “serious concerns that ​this closure is a cynical attempt to ​bust ⁠the union.”* Elsewhere in Maryland, the state legislature has passed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act. This bill, which Gov. Wes Moore has vowed to sign into law, is designed to prohibit surveillance pricing, the practice of retailers charging different shoppers different prices for the same item at the same time based on information the store knows about them as an individual. While crucial and innovative legislation, Consumer Reports – which “engaged on the bill…throughout the legislative process,” argues that it has been watered down to the point of inadequacy via lobbying by the Maryland Retail Alliance. Some of the added exceptions include failing to establish any baseline or standard price – given that “with no set standard price, everything can be marketed as a discount” — and exempting any pricing associated with loyalty or membership programs or subscriptions. The bill also does not contain strong enforcement provisions, such as a private right of action. So, while this bill is a start – and you have to start somewhere – we echo Consumer Reports' urging that “other state legislatures considering personalized pricing legislation to build in stronger consumer protections and avoid loopholes that weakened this bill.”* In more consumer news, the scourge of sports betting continues to metastasize. A new report from Siena Research Institute has produced staggering findings: “27% of Americans and [52%] of men ages 18-49…[say] they have an active account with an online sportsbook such as DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, or BetMGM.” And, while most respondents maintain that they bet because it is “exciting” and “fun”, “31% of bettors report having had someone express concern about their usage of online sportsbooks, [42%] of bettors...say they have felt that they bet more than they should…Fifteen percent of bettors…say they have called a problem gambling Helpline or sought other help with problem gambling, and 22% of respondents overall say they know someone that has or has had a problem with online sports betting.” Taken together, this represents a deeply troubling gambling wave cresting in this country. And, while legislators are beginning to take notice, the sports betting interests are beginning to fight back, with Bloomberg reporting that these companies – FanDuel, DraftKings and Fanatics Sportsbook – are beginning to dump money by the truckload into new Super PACs. Just this year, they have contributed $41 million to Win for America, according to new FEC filings, and show no sign of stopping there.* In our final domestic story, this week saw the implosion of leading California gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Eric Swalwell. Swalwell ultimately opted to resign his seat in Congress after it became clear that the Democratic and Republican House leadership was mulling a deal to expel him and flagrantly corrupt Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick along with two scandal-ridden GOP Reps., Tony Gonzales and Cory Mills. The fact that Swalwell's resignation was paired with that of Gonzales lends credence to the idea that some deal was worked out behind closed doors. Yet, deal or no, this leaves Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills in their seats despite general acknowledgment that they should be expelled, per the Hill. This constitutes congressional horsetrading at its most base.* Turning to international news, this week Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has for months governed the country with a plurality in the House of Commons, has successfully secured a majority for his ruling Liberal Party. This majority was secured via three byelection victories, but more significantly, by five recent “floor crossings” – elected MPs switching parties to join the Liberals. Having secured a majority, Carney is now confident in his ability to stave off a no-confidence vote and will likely remain in power at least until the 2029 general election. Unfortunately, the New Democratic Party (NDP) saw improvement in their share of the vote in only one “riding” despite their new leadership. This just proves the party has a long, difficult climb back to relevance in Canadian politics. This from the CBC.* Looking Southward, this week, Peru held the first round of their presidential election. The top two vote getters will advance to a runoff, but who those candidates would be remained unclear for an agonizingly protracted period of time. Keiko Fujimori, daughter of the former Japanese-Peruvian dictator and a perennial far-right candidate herself, came in first with 17% of the vote. And at first, it seemed like the second slot would be taken by ultraconservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga. However, following days of vote counting, Aliaga moved down to third place, with the second place finisher proving to be Roberto Sanchez, a figure of the Peruvian Left and ally of ousted former President Pedro Castillo. Sanchez however is also allegedly allied with the Andean supremacist movement led by Antauro Humala in Peru. The Peruvian political system has been rocked by instability, churning through “eight presidents in the past 10 years, including four who were impeached,” per France 24. Castillo, the last democratically elected president, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison in 2025; if elected, Sanchez would likely pardon the former president as other left-wing Latin American leaders including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have urged. How long Sanchez, or for that matter Fujimori, might last in office is another question.* Finally, we turn to the United Kingdom where the dream of a new Leftist party – Your Party – is foundering. After a promising start, Your Party ultimately descended into infighting between the Grassroots Left faction, led by Zarah Sultana, and another faction, the Many, led by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Your Party also chose to bar from participation any avowedly leftist organizations. These moves, alienating to the very constituencies most interested in backing the YP, paired with the meteoric rise of the Green Party under Zack Polanski and a threatened exodus by the Scottish YP segment, have rendered what could have been a substantial power in Parliament, pressing for concessions on issues if not achieving a majority itself, utterly toothless. An inside account of the internal battles is available at Counterfire.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on the powerful speech by Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney given at the Liberal Party convention in Montreal. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to recent floor crossings and last night's by-election, the Liberal Party now has a majority government and a 15 point favourability lead that has unnerved and divided the Conservatives. Should MPs be able to cross the floor at their will? Andrew argues that public officials crossing over from the opposition to the governing body should seek permission from their constituents. What is the fate and future of the NDP and Conservatives in this new political environment? Meanwhile the Liberals now have time to rebuild the party and Mark Carney, with the confidence of the country, has the latitude to decide what direction he wants to go in. Will the PM use this new majority and political capital to finally address Canada's major crises - productivity, overregulation, lack of competition - that past leaders chose to ignore?