Politics with Michelle Grattan

The outgoing Labor president explains why no votes can be taken for granted in a time of 'anxiety and insecurity'.

Long-time gambling reform advocate Andrew Wilkie says a reason the government is being timid on the issue is because of close relationships with affected industries.

The Liberal frontbencher is the opposition’s leading Jewish voice and will soon appear at the royal commission on antisemitism.

The NDIS minister joined the podcast to discuss the government's reforms – and what the changes mean for 160,000 Australians.

The departing Liberal frontbencher also said it's 'mad' to be talking about doing deals with One Nation so far from an election.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of One NationFollow the Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.

The pollster also warns any move to replace Victorian premier Jacinta Allan before the November state election would be a 'disaster' for Labor.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow the Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.

The businessman and former competition chief says the fierce criticism of what he calls 'mild' budget changes shows why politicians have avoided reform for decades.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of One NationFollow the Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The moderate Liberal, who lost his seat last year, said his party was now 'fighting for its existence' – and can't ignore the need to work with One Nation.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The anti-discrimination expert explains what the case was about, why it's set for an appeal -- and the broader implications if the decision stands.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow the Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.

The treasurer joined us on the podcast to defend his fifth budget, explaining the 'new architecture' to make future tax cuts easier 'when the budget can afford it'.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationSearch for "The Making of One Nation" - new episodes out weekly.The Making of One Nation

The shadow treasurer plans to fight Labor's tax changes, arguing they would increase pressure on rents and 'kneecap' young Australians trying to get ahead.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow the Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.

The finance journalist says changes to capital gains tax concessions and negative gearing are only likely to have a 'symbolic effect' on housing affordability.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of One NationSearch for "The Making of One Nation" - new episodes out weekly.The Making of One NationYour support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

One of the frontrunners in the historic by-election, independent Michelle Milthorpe, as well as One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, also joined us on the podcast.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationSearch for "The Making of One Nation" - new episodes out weekly.The Making of One Nation

The former cabinet minister said Australians have been 'sold short' by not taxing gas exports enough.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of One NationFollow the Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

We speak to independent economist Chris Richardson on the fuel crisis and the Australian economy.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationSearch for "The Making of One Nation" - new episodes out weekly.The Making of One Nation

Nearly thirty years on, Hanson's infamous maiden speech — warning that Australia was "being swamped by Asians" — still echoes through Australian political life. But who was Pauline Hanson before she became a phenomenon, and what did she actually represent? Was she a cause of a new kind of politics, or a symptom of one already forming?Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The security expert says there's been a 'disturbing' rise in Australians' anxiety about national security over the past two years.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow The Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.The Making of One Nation

Ahead of the May 9 by-election, hear from candidates and locals about the early frontrunners to win Farrer – long held by former Liberal leader Sussan Ley.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow The Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.The Making of One Nation

The Reserve Bank's Andrew Hauser told The Conversation's podcast inflation is likely to be higher than projected before the war in the Middle East broke out.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of One NationFollow The Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.The Making of One NationYour support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

Labor is expected to be returned in power in a landslide. But the election is also the first test of One Nation's ability to turn its surging popularity into seats.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of One NationFollow The Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.The Making of One NationYour support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The anti-corruption expert says Victoria's Labor government was willing to 'deal with the devil' on its Big Build projects – at the cost of 'bad governing'.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow The Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.The Making of One Nation

The newly installed Liberal deputy leader talks about the turnaround in her fortunes, the spectre of WorkChoices, and why she doesn't believe in quotas for women.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow The Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.The Making of One Nation

What do Australians in focus groups say about the Liberal Party right now? "They just kind of laugh," the former Liberal staffer turned pollster says.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of One NationFollow The Making of One Nation so you don't miss an episode.The Making of One Nation

Joyce says 'I'm not going to be wearing a burqa' like the One Nation leader – but his relationship with her is stronger than his 'bitter' end with the Nationals.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The Liberal senator says 'social media influencers' have falsely 'whipped up a frenzy' of misinformation about new hate speech laws limiting freedom of speech.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

In November, six Democratic lawmakers recorded a video directed at members of the US military and intelligence agencies. In it, they issued a blunt reminder:"The laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders. […] You must refuse illegal orders."The lawmakers were issuing the warning against the backdrop of US airstrikes on boats off the coast of Latin America the Trump administration claims are suspected drug runners. Many Democrats and legal experts, however, argue these strikes are illegal.Since returning to office, Trump has successfully expanded his power over his own party, the courts and the American people. Now, like many autocrats around the world, he’s trying to exert control over the military.In the final episode of The Making of an Autocrat, Joe Wright, a political science professor at Penn State University, says:"I am very concerned that getting the military to do illegal things will not only put US soldiers at more risk when they do engage in international missions in the future […] it’s a first step to using the military to target domestic political opponents. That’s what really worries me."This episode was written by Justin Bergman and produced and edited by Isabella Podwinski and Ashlynne McGhee. Sound design by Michelle Macklem.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The list of people Donald Trump has punished or threatened to punish since returning to office is long. It includes the likes of James Comey, Letitia James, John Bolton, as well as members of the opposition, such as Adam Schiff, Mark Kelly and Kamala Harris.In fact, he has gone so far as to call Democrats “the enemy from within”, saying they are more dangerous than US adversaries like Russia and China.According to Lucan Way, a professor of democracy at the University of Toronto, when a leader attacks the opposition like this, it’s a clear sign a country is slipping into authoritarianism.As Way says in episode 5 of The Making of an Autocrat:"In other kind of countries with weaker justice systems, you can literally jail members of opposition or bankrupt them. In a country like the United States, where the rule of law is quite robust, this is not possible, you can’t just jail rivals at will."But Trump has other ways of making the cost of opposing him too high for his critics to bear. This includes investigations, lawsuits, audits, personal attacks – anything to distract and silence them.The effect is his opponents become much more reluctant to engage in behaviour they know that Trump won’t like, Way says:"So it really has this kind of broader silencing effect that I think is quite pernicious."This episode was written by Justin Bergman and produced and edited by Isabella Podwinski and Ashlynne McGhee. Sound design by Michelle Macklem.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

In democratic systems, the courts are a vital check on a leader’s power. They have the ability to overturn laws and, in Donald Trump’s case, the executive orders he has relied on to achieve his goals.Since taking office, Trump has targeted the judiciary with a vengeance. He has attacked what he has called “radical left judges” and is accused of ignoring or evading court orders.The Supreme Court has already handed the Trump administration some key wins in his second term. But several cases now before the court will be pivotal in determining how much power Trump is able to accrue – and what he’ll be able to do with it.As Paul Collins, a Supreme Court expert from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, explains in episode 4 of The Making of an Autocrat:"It’s all about presidential power. And that’s really significant because it’s going to enable the president to basically inject a level of politics into the federal bureaucracy that we frankly haven’t really seen before in the US."This episode was written by Justin Bergman and produced and edited by Isabella Podwinski and Ashlynne McGhee. Sound design by Michelle Macklem.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

Donald Trump has sounded the alarm, over and over again, that the United States is facing an “invasion” by dangerous gang members. He blames immigrants for the country’s economic problems and claims protesters are destroying US cities.Trump is not the first would-be autocrat to manufacture a crisis to seize extraordinary powers.As Natasha Lindstaedt, an expert in authoritarian regimes at the University of Essex, says in episode 3 of The Making of an Autocrat, a strongman “loves a crisis”."A crisis is the way that they mobilise their base, the way that they can depict themselves as the saviour, as this messianic type of figure that is going to save people from this chaotic world."So, is the United States really facing a national emergency? Or is this just a tactic on Trump’s part to amass more power?This episode was written by Justin Bergman and produced and edited by Isabella Podwinski and Ashlynne McGhee. Sound design by Michelle Macklem.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

Every autocrat needs a clan of loyalists, strategists, masterminds – these are the figures behind the scenes pulling the strings.They’re unelected and unaccountable, yet they wield a huge amount of power.This is the role Stephen Miller has played for Donald Trump – he is the architect in chief for the second Trump administration. He has so much power, in fact, he’s reportedly referred to as the "prime minister."So who is Stephen Miller? And why are architects so important in helping a would-be autocrat amass power?As Emma Shortis, a Trump expert and an adjunct senior fellow at RMIT University in Melbourne, explains in episode 2 of The Making of an Autocrat:"[Miller] is the kind of brains behind particularly Trump's hardline stances on immigration and the Trump administration's ability to use the levers of power, and expand the power available to the president.I think what Stephen Miller demonstrates and, and history has demonstrated over and over again is that autocrats cannot rise to power by themselves. They often require a singular kind of charisma and a singular kind of historical moment, but they also need architects behind them who are able to facilitate their rise to power."This episode was written by Justin Bergman and produced and edited by Isabella Podwinski and Ashlynne McGhee. Sound design by Michelle Macklem. Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

We used to have a pretty clear idea of what an autocrat was. History is full of examples: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, along with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping today. The list goes on.So, where does Donald Trump fit in?In this six-part podcast series, The Making of an Autocrat, we are asking six experts on authoritarianism and US politics to explain how exactly an autocrat is made – and whether Trump is on his way to becoming one.This episode was written by Justin Bergman and produced and edited by Isabella Podwinski and Ashlynne McGhee. Sound design by Michelle Macklem.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

We used to have a pretty clear idea of what an autocrat was. History is full of examples: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, along with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping today. The list goes on.So, where does Donald Trump fit in?In this six-part podcast series, The Making of an Autocrat, we ask six experts on authoritarianism and US politics to explain how exactly an autocrat is made – and whether Trump is on his way to becoming one. Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The treasurer says the government needs to do more on several fronts: from fighting antisemitism after Sunday's deadly attack, to cracking down on illegal tobacco.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The Greens' senator says she's worried kids will end up 'in other online spaces that are even darker and more dangerous' – and Australia should act on other options.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The industry minister denied Australia's adopting a 'light-touch' approach on AI – and says he's working to make sure data centres are 'not a drain on resources'.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

Ley says the Opposition was negotiating on the new environment laws with the government into early Thursday – just before Labor announced a deal with the Greens.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The South Australian Liberal senator says he's "dubious" about being able to sell the Coalition's new policy to voters – describing it as "carefree with emissions".Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

With only one sitting week of Parliament left this year, the environment minister reveals the compromises he's willing to make and the hard lines he won't cross to get the deal done.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

Michelle Grattan and the politics and society editor for the Conversation Amanda Dunn, talk about the dismissal.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Next week is the 50th anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam government. We're joined by Niki Savva and David Solomon to talk about their memories of that day.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

Amid rising demand for aged care, major changes are rolling out from Saturday. Minister for seniors Sam Rae explains what the overhaul means for older Australians.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

The former Liberal prime minister says he wrote a new history book 'to help contemporary Australians think better of themselves'.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

The former Liberal strategist turned pollster says the Coalition has become "catastrophically uncompetitive" with women and younger voters.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

The multiculturalism expert says increased tensions since the October 7 attacks have raised 'the tideline of hate speech' in Australia.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Opposition finance spokesman James Paterson canvasses the economy and the budget, says the Liberals need to sort out its stance on net zero sooner rather than later.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

The former Australian ambassador turned scholar says despite more countries recognising Palestine as a state, a peaceful two-state solution is slipping away.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The energy expert says Australia's only on track to cut its emissions by around 50% by 2035 – 'so we're going to have to step up the pace' in the next decade.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

A former deputy secretary of the immigration department under the Howard government says 'it's time politicians on both sides pulled up their socks'.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025

The health minister also says fewer kids are now vaping because of the government's ban, which 'exploded' as a health problem during the COVID years.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Both men say the government has a 'spending problem' and are urging the federal government to think beyond raising taxes – especially for business.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters