Best Robodebt Podcasts (2025)

1
Buzzword Bingo 46:38

2h ago46:38

46:38

In this Christmas special, Caroline, Alison and Danielle unwrap the public service’s most gear-grinding buzzwords, what they’re supposed to mean and what they have now quietly become. With words crowdsourced from the fine listeners of TWT, we talk: Big serious words and how their technical meanings have drifted The corporate visitors who arrived an…

1
Penny Wong on Trump, Putin and reshaping foreign policy 20:36

6h ago20:36

20:36

This week Labor committed additional military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia as part of a Nato-led initiative. The government also announced new sanctions on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers, which are a source of revenue for Moscow. Amid these announcements and in the last week of Senate estimates, foreign affairs mini…

1
Sussan Ley is 'still up for the job' of opposition leader 24:55

7d ago24:55

24:55

Ever since she was elected opposition leader, Sussan Ley has faced strong criticisms from within her party and across the parliament. Some commentators even predicted she’d be out of the job already. But she has made it to the last sitting week of parliament for the year. On the other side of the aisle, the Albanese government managed to meet their…

1
Guardian Essential report: Climate doom and AI anxiety 26:03

9d ago26:03

26:03

Just over half of voters say that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. The same number of voters had the same response more than 15 years ago, so Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, and political reporter Josh Butler unpack the difference between the science and…

1
Imagine if... you were leading an orchard of bad apples 55:42

11d ago55:42

55:42

Your shiny new promotion turns out to be more than you bargained for. In this scenario-based "Imagine if..." episode, Caroline and Danielle assume the role of a newly promoted manager who steps into a team they didn’t choose and some character-building challenges. ⚠️ Mild trigger warning for the depiction of toxic colleagues - we've all had one! We…

1
Will Albanese’s caution become his weakness? 16:56

14d ago16:56

16:56

Author and columnist Sean Kelly says despite Labor’s overwhelming majority and an opposition largely consumed by its own infighting, there are signs that Anthony Albanese’s government will waste the opportunity handed to them by the Australian people. Kelly talks to Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy about his new Quarterly essay, whic…

1
The fear of neo-Nazis and the politics of social cohesion with Mehreen Faruqi 24:03

14d ago24:03

24:03

In conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy, deputy leader of the Greens Mehreen Faruqi says a neo-Nazi rally in front of NSW parliament this month caused fear for many Australians – and the federal government is yet to respond to recommendations for a national framework for anti-racism. And with both houses of parliament returning for their …

1
A new Liberal and Labor MP on their first terms in parliament 24:51

21d ago24:51

24:51

It’s been six months since the May election, which brought new personalities to Parliament House – along with an even larger majority for the Albanese government. Labor MP Renee Coffey, who beat the Greens housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather, and Liberal MP Leon Rebello, a former staffer and parliamentary attendant, join political editor Tom M…

1
Imagine if … your sleepy grants program woke up 52:23

1M ago52:23

52:23

When politics meets process, what’s a conscientious public servant to do? This “Imagine if…” episode puts Alison and Danielle in the shoes of a project manager caught between legality, leadership and media heat — and explores what good judgment looks like when everyone’s waiting to be told what’s important. The first in an “Imagine if…” series as r…

51
Why net zero is dividing parliament with climate minister Chris Bowen 21:01

1M ago21:01

21:01

Speaking at Cop30 in Brazil, the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, said the ‘consensus is gone’ on tackling the climate crisis. It’s an apt assessment because this week Australia’s two major political parties have had very different commitments when it comes to climate action. The minister for climate change and energy, Chris Bowen, speaks to G…

51
How the EU and Nato are countering a new type of warfare 20:57

1M ago20:57

20:57

From cyberattacks to disinformation campaigns, hybrid warfare is reshaping global security. Visiting the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom Mcllroy, speaks with its director, Teija Tiilikainen, about how the EU and Nato are confronting covert interference from Russia, …

51
Guardian Essential report: the PM’s rock star moment and his biggest threat 24:58

1M ago24:58

24:58

Anthony Albanese might have had his rock star moment upon his return from the US, but the latest Guardian Essential poll shows voters are unconvinced about the outcomes of his negotiations with US president Donald Trump. Political reporter and Canberra chief of staff Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, about w…

1
Inside the public service's ‘Human Handbrake’: why reform stalls and how to fix it 50:03

1M ago50:03

50:03

Demos has released a fascinating paper, The Human Handbrake, on the five human habits that stall public sector reform. In this episode we pick through each of them - fear, heroics, tribes, tidiness, and tempo - and test practical fixes from risk stratification to outcome-focused equity. Topics covered include: fear-driven risk culture and how to st…

1
Shadow immigration minister Paul Scarr on the ‘mass migration’ myth 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

In the aftermath of former frontbencher Andrew Hastie’s fighting words, opposition leader Sussan Ley continues to struggle with persistent internal tensions in the Coalition over its direction on immigration policy. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to shadow minister for immigration Paul Scarr about why he rejects rhetoric about ‘mass migration’…

1
AI and the productivity challenge with Andrew Leigh 22:07

2M ago22:07

22:07

This week, the Albanese government has been criticised for a tactical backdown on its plan to wind back tax concessions on superannuation balances worth more than $3m. But the assistant minister for productivity, competition, charities and treasury, Andrew Leigh, argues that this change in approach has maintained fairness in the super system. The M…

1
“It’s just a minor restructure” said no calendar ever 49:11

2M ago49:11

49:11

In our second change management episode, Danielle pulls apart the myth of the “minor” restructure and lay out a practical way to change without breaking the work. From function mapping and ministerial comms to union engagement and the “fourth trimester”, we consider how to make change stick with clarity and care. why six to nine months is realistic…

1
The human cost of a broken aged care system with Penny Allman-Payne 24:25

2M ago24:25

24:25

As Labor’s new aged care system gets set to begin on 1 November, Greens senator Penny Allman-Payne speaks about her father’s recent move into residential aged care and the personal stories she has heard as chair of a Greens-led inquiry into the sector. She speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, about how she has seen lives …

1
Clare O’Neil on Labor’s scheme for first home buyers 27:22

2M ago27:22

27:22

This week, Labor expanded Australia’s first home guarantee to allow more buyers access to a mortgage with a reduced deposit of 5%. But the plan has many critics. Guardian Australia political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks to the federal minister for housing and homelessness, Clare O’Neil, about why she thinks the government is pulling on the correct l…

1
Guardian Essential Report: Albanese’s pragmatism during messy times 22:01

2M ago22:01

22:01

Political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to executive director of Essential Media Peter Lewis about Australian voters’ views on the government’s climate action ambition and the immigration debate. Lewis also explains why he thinks The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a perfect analogue of the prime minister’s approach to politics in the midst …

1
Who Really Moved My Cheese? Tales from the change management trenches 43:26

2M ago43:26

43:26

Danielle takes us on a romp through change management, starting, as with all good contrarians, with a challenge to the idea of ‘change management’ itself. Some of the ideas covered: Change is happening all the time in government, not just during formal "change management" periods Most people dislike uncertainty rather than change itself Mission and…

1
Amanda Rishworth on the future of work and AI 28:56

3M ago28:56

28:56

Political reporter Josh Butler speaks to Amanda Rishworth, the minister for employment and workplace relations, about the Albanese government’s upcoming reform agenda for workers. They also discuss the latest figures on enterprise agreements and why she thinks AI is more likely to ‘augment’ rather than displace workers in the near future…

1
Matt Kean on Australia’s future in a climate crisis 32:36

3M ago32:36

32:36

The Albanese government has now put a number on its climate ambition: a target of a 62-70% emissions cut by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. It comes after the release of the national climate risk assessment, which described a disastrous future for Australians on a warming planet. In this bonus episode of the Australian Politics podcast, climate and e…

1
David Pocock on the 2035 climate targets and political will 28:34

3M ago28:34

28:34

In a defining week for climate action, the Albanese government has unveiled a commitment to cut emissions between 62% and 70% on 2005 levels by 2035. But vocal climate advocate Senator David Pocock says a minimum of 75% is needed to ‘do our bit’. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to the ACT independent about his pessimism about political leadersh…

1
Regulator/policy cage fight: ANZSOG National Regulators Community of Practice Conference 2025 48:33

3M ago48:33

48:33

Our first live show at the wildly successful ANZSOG NRCOP Conference in Brisbane August 2025. The conversation tackles head-on the structural disconnections between our regulatory and policy systems, particularly in federated models like early childhood education. How do we reconcile a Commonwealth pouring billions into subsidies while state-based …

1
Jane Hume on rebuilding trust in the Liberal party 28:34

3M ago28:34

28:34

The fallout in the Liberal party over Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s inflammatory comments about Indian migrants has now culminated in her sacking from the shadow ministry by Sussan Ley. In the lead-up to this decision by the opposition leader, Victorian senator Jane Hume described it as a situation that ‘escalated well out of control’. Hume speaks to …

1
Kristy McBain on natural disaster preparation and ambitious climate targets 20:06

3M ago20:06

20:06

While many Australians are feeling relieved about the end of a cold winter, the minister for emergency management and regional development is already eyeing the upcoming summer bushfire season. Kristy McBain talks to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy about the importance of social license for renewables and climate action in regional Austra…

1
The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP: Lessons from a Veteran Minister 48:49

3M ago48:49

48:49

What makes someone qualified to be a minister? In this candid conversation with Tom Koutsantonis, South Australia's longest-serving current parliamentarian, Danielle explores the fascinating intersection where political leadership meets public administration. Drawing on his remarkable career spanning multiple portfolios including Treasury, Energy, …

1
Andrew Giles on how to fix Australia’s skill shortage 20:41

3M ago20:41

20:41

Fresh off the government’s reform roundtable and an address to the press club on skilling Australia’s future, the minister for skills and training, Andrew Giles, says he’s focused on making sure every Australian is able to reach their full potential in the workforce. He talks to Tom McIlroy about how to solve Australia’s skill shortage, the importa…

1
Guardian Essential report: the paradox of recognition, why do Australians back Palestine but doubt its impact? 21:05

3M ago21:05

21:05

Why do most Australians back recognising a Palestinian state, yet nearly half dismiss it as merely symbolic? The executive director of Essential Media, Peter Lewis, shares the latest poll findings with the Canberra chief of staff, Josh Butler, about Palestine, as well as fears of AI-driven job losses fuelling strong calls for regulation, a four-day…

1
Allegra Spender on why tax reform will make young people’s lives better 20:56

4M ago20:56

20:56

Fresh from the government’s economic roundtable, the independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender is optimistic about the future of tax reform in Australia. Talking to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy, she argues Labor must speed up approvals for housing and clean energy, shift the tax mix to ease pressure on young people and boost investment,…

1
The Billion-Dollar Payroll Disaster: lessons from Queensland Health’s Payroll System 42:14

4M ago42:14

42:14

In this episode, Danielle, Caroline and Alison look at ANOTHER big ICT transformation project, with enormous human impacts and a long and expensive clean up. The Queensland Health payroll system failure ranks as one of Australia's worst public administration disasters, costing taxpayers $1.2 billion and leaving 78,000 healthcare workers without pro…

1
Dr Mohammed Mustafa on why we need more than recognition to end the crisis in Gaza - podcast 21:37

4M ago21:37

21:37

British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa has seen first-hand the horrors occurring daily in Gaza from his time working in hospitals across the region. Speaking to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy, he describes life on the ground in the war zone, says that Australian politicians are clinging to talking points while children die, and warns…

1
Andrew Bragg on AI, housing and what the Coalition got wrong 20:22

4M ago20:22

20:22

Two weeks out from Labor’s economic roundtable, the Coalition’s shadow minister for productivity, housing and homelessness, Andrew Bragg, joins us to talk about the biggest challenges facing the economy. Speaking to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy, he cautions against over-regulating artificial intelligence, reflects on the Coalition’s mi…

1
Working from home: when flexibility becomes political 43:50

4M ago43:50

43:50

In this episode, we dive into Danielle’s favourite topic - work place flexibility. Public servants working from home has become a visible fault line in Australian politics and media, revealing deeper questions about productivity, surveillance, and trust in our workplaces. The convenience culture debate exposes how work design impacts everything fro…

1
From Palestine to jobseeker and keeping children safe online: Tanya Plibersek on Labor’s tough calls – Australian Politics podcast 28:06

4M ago28:06

28:06

Tanya Plibersek, one of Labor’s most recognisable political figures and the minister for social services, joins us as the government faces big decisions at home and abroad. Chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to her about the push to recognise Palestinian statehood, the jobseeker rate and the urgent fight to keep children safe online…

1
Guardian Essential report: Albanese starts second term with solid approval, but Trump presidency looms – Australian Politics podcast 19:27

4M ago19:27

19:27

As Anthony Albanese readies his second‑term reform agenda, Guardian Australia’s Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media’s Peter Lewis about the elephant in the room: Australia’s dependence on the US and how its high‑stakes defence gambles could shape both his leadership and the nation’s strategic future…

1
Resetting the Liberals: Zoe McKenzie on reform, climate and winning back women 22:24

4M ago22:24

22:24

As parliament resumes, the focus shifts to how the major parties plan to reset. Chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to Liberal MP for Flinders and shadow assistant minister Zoe McKenzie. She isn’t convinced by quotas but says the party needs meaningful reform if it’s serious about bringing more women into the fold – and winning back th…

1
The Radical How: Why one big bet is government’s riskiest move 51:07

5M ago51:07

51:07

What if the real problem in public service reform isn't what we're trying to do, but how we're trying to do it? Caroline, Danielle, and Alison dive deep into a revolutionary approach to government change by examining The Radical How – a framework published by UK innovation foundation Nesta. The conversation unpacks three core principles that could …

1
Jim Chalmers on uncertainty and ambition 26:48

5M ago26:48

26:48

Treasurer Jim Chalmers tells Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy one of his key measures of success in the future is making Australia’s budget more sustainable. They discuss the challenge of meeting housing targets, how the morning news affects his plans and what he hopes can come out of his meeting with the G20 finance min…

1
Accountability, robodebt and regional housing: Helen Haines unpacks it all 24:10

5M ago24:10

24:10

Tom McIlroy speaks to independent MP Helen Haines to talk through her ambitious agenda for the new parliamentary term, her sharp disappointment with the robodebt royal commission fallout, and what the government’s response says about political accountabilityBy The Guardian

1
Tom Loosemore: behind the scenes of the Universal Credit Reset 57:37

5M ago57:37

57:37

Tom Loosemore of Public Digital was instrumental in the capital R Reset of Universal Credit. In this interview, he tells Caroline there were no beanbags, but a lot of multi-D. This interview adds nuance and richness to the picture sketched in our previous Universal Credit episodes. Some of the key insights include: Fundamental problem of the origin…

1
O’Brien on Liberal ‘soul-searching’ amid nuclear and net-zero policy review 21:57

5M ago21:57

21:57

After a bruising election loss, the Coalition is at a crossroads. Can it reinvent itself as a credible alternative to Labor, or will internal divisions over nuclear energy, net zero and the Liberal party’s identity doom it to another term in opposition? Guardian Australia chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy, speaks with the deputy opposition…

1
Greens leader Larissa Waters on holding the Labor government to account — Australian Politics podcast 22:39

6M ago22:39

22:39

The new leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters from Queensland talks about her vision for the party, the challenges of a shifting political landscape, and why she believes this is a moment for bold reforms Labor must rewrite current environment laws which ‘facilitate development’, says Larissa Waters…

1
Rescuing a bin fire: Test and Learn and Universal Credit (Part 2) 45:16

6M ago45:16

45:16

In this second episode on Universal Credit, we talk about how the team transitioned from catastrophic failure to remarkable success. We cover: The barriers to test and learn - from the need for certainty by leaders, to Treasury requirements for business cases, to the need to support Ministers The lessons learnt by the 10 year in role SRO Neil Couli…

1
Coalition frontbencher Julian Leeser on why a closer alliance with the US is necessary 22:36

6M ago22:36

22:36

In a year shaped by rising global tensions and growing concerns over social cohesion at home, the shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, presents his views on Australia’s place in the worldBy The Guardian

1
Senator Maria Kovacic on what the Coalition needs to move forward 23:35

6M ago23:35

23:35

‘If we don’t listen it’s not going to get better for us – it will get worse,’ says the NSW Liberal moderate and newly appointed shadow assistant minister, joining Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy to discuss her party’s futureBy The Guardian

1
From hot mess to delivered: Universal Credit and delivering system wide reform (Part 1) 40:07

6M ago40:07

40:07

In the shadow of worries about the NDIS, do we even believe that big system reform in Australia is do-able any more? Is the juice worth the squeeze? In this first of a two part series, we explore the example of Universal Credit, a 15 year long reform agenda in the UK to combine 6 benefits into one, and, more importantly, seeking to transform the re…

1
Nicolette Boele on climate, business and making a difference 23:28

6M ago23:28

23:28

Nicolette Boele was declared the winner in the Sydney seat of Bradfield this week, after a month of counting and recounting in her race against Liberal Gisele Kapterian. She is preparing to take her seat in parliament after a wafer-thin victory of just 26 votes. Boele speaks to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy about why Labor needs to stop…

1
The Vanstone Files: Unpacking Ministerial Power 44:41

7M ago44:41

44:41

In a wide ranging discussion, Alison, Caroline and Danielle come together to discuss the gems from the Amanda Vanstone interview, which examined how power, responsibility and decision-making played out at the top of government during her two decades as a federal minister. Vanstone's approach to being a minister - asking questions until understandin…

1
Guardian Essential report: can Labor live up to expectations? 25:18

7M ago25:18

25:18

Post-election Albanese has seen a surge in popularity but what is the electorate expecting from a second term Labor government and can they deliver during challenging times? Guardian Australia’s political reporter, Josh Butler sits down with chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy and Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis.…

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