Australian Politics

The Albanese government has a lot of unfinished business as the end of the political year fast approaches. This sitting week, Labor struggled to pass its budget saving measure to reduce private health insurance rebates for over-65s. Independent MP Monique Ryan was a vocal critic of the bill and argues that the government is continually on the ‘back foot’. Speaking with the political editor, Tom McIlroy, she is critical of the way the government has brought a number of key proposals to the parliament. The member for Kooyong also responds to speculation that her former political rival and treasurer in the Morrison government, Josh Frydenberg, is considering a possible return to Canberra – after the launch of his memoir this week

With a sharp, aggressive strategy, the Australian Greens’ newly elected leader vows to take on corporate power and bring a “red hot fight” to coal and gas approvals. But following a turbulent week and internal party room fractures, can Senator David Shoebridge and his polarising approach rally progressive voters without deepening splits? Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks with the new party leader about taking on One Nation, pushing back on Aukus, and his vision for the party’s future.

On Monday, Jim Chalmers released Treasury’s economic forecast for the next 40 years – in the Albanese government’s second intergenerational report. The outlook shows major challenges on geopolitics, the AI transformation, and for the first time, deaths will overtake births in Australia within a few decades. The treasurer speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor Tom McIlroy and economics editor Patrick Commins about why he’s optimistic Labor’s policy agenda is preparing the country for an unpredictable future

This week, the Albanese government released its draft digital duty of care legislation and announced reforms to allow social media users to opt out of algorithms. The Coalition has ruled out their support, so the Greens will be crucial to the changes passing the Senate. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young about why she thinks this will be a ‘battle for our generation’. They also discuss her party’s decision to support Labor’s plans for a new landmark koala national park in NSW. The deal has divided environmentalists and the Greens, with three senators crossing the floor on Thursday, because the proposal will controversially allow big industry to offset their climate pollution under certain conditions