The Pub Test

The Pub Test
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  • Politics
  • Updated weekly

Australian politics, minus the spin. Neil Pharaoh and Erin Watson put the week's biggest political stories through the pub test - does it make sense, is it fair, and what does it really mean? New episodes weekly.

  1. Why Are We Still Talking About the Budget?

    2 days ago

    Why Are We Still Talking About the Budget?

    The Budget Is Over. The Fight Isn’t. Four weeks after the 2026 Federal Budget, Australia is still arguing about it. The Budget was handed down four weeks ago. So why are we still fighting about it? This week on The Pub Test, Neil Pharaoh and Dr Erin Watson hear two very different takes on the 2026 Federal Budget. Joseph Mitchell from the ACTU says it starts shifting the burden from workers to wealth. Innes Willox from Australian Industry Group says it risks creating uncertainty for business, investment and small employers. Workers versus wealth. Growth versus fairness. Certainty versus reform. The Budget may be over — but the argument clearly isn’t. Find out more Australian Unions / ACTU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianUnions/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausunions/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aus.unions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustralianUnions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-unions/ #AustralianUnions Australian Industry Group Website: https://www.australianindustrygroup.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianIndustryGroup/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/australianindustrygroup/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-industry-group/ #AustralianIndustryGroup #AllForBusiness #ThePubTest #AusPol This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & York https://tanck.com.au/ https://www.bakerandyork.com/https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/ Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    44 min
  2. Student Debt, Work From Home & Argentina’s Economic Gamble

    8 Jun

    Student Debt, Work From Home & Argentina’s Economic Gamble

    Australia’s university debt system, Victoria’s work-from-home debate and Argentina’s economic experiment all raise the same question: when does government intervention stop helping and start distorting the system? HECS, TAFE, gendered work, flexible workplaces and the lessons Australia can draw from one of the world’s most politically fascinating economies. This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & York https://tanck.com.au/ https://www.bakerandyork.com/https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/ Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    45 min
  3. One Nation Beats Labor, Parliament’s Passport Problem, & the Rise of the New Serfdom

    1 Jun

    One Nation Beats Labor, Parliament’s Passport Problem, & the Rise of the New Serfdom

    The latest Redbridge opinion poll has dropped a absolute bombshell: One Nation has surged to become the country's most popular primary vote political party, outpolling both Labor and the Coalition. As a massive political disruption looms over upcoming state and federal elections, the center-left and center-right are being completely hollowed out. This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & York https://tanck.com.au/ https://www.bakerandyork.com/https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/ Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    58 min
  4. Australia's Water Crisis & Why America still Fears Cuba

    25 May

    Australia's Water Crisis & Why America still Fears Cuba

    Australia’s water crisis is becoming one of the biggest political and economic issues of the decade. Neil Pharaoh and Erin Watson break down why water may become more valuable than oil, how regulation is slowing Australia down and what Cuba reveals about modern geopolitics. This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & York https://tanck.com.au/ https://www.bakerandyork.com/https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/ Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    51 min
  5. Antony Green on The Farrer Election & Australia’s New Political Divide

    19 May

    Antony Green on The Farrer Election & Australia’s New Political Divide

    *This episode was recorded before the 2026 Federal Budget* This week on The Pub Test, we sit down with legendary election analyst Antony Green to unpack what the recent Farrer by-election reveals about the future of Australian politics. From political fragmentation and regional decline to compulsory voting, generational frustration and the changing political mainstream. This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & Yorkhttps://tanck.com.au/https://www.bakerandyork.com/https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    45 min
  6. Australia’s Childcare Trap & Why Nepal Matters

    11 May

    Australia’s Childcare Trap & Why Nepal Matters

    Australia’s childcare system is under pressure, federal and state governments are increasingly trapped in blame-shifting, and Nepal is attempting major reform without the institutions to fully support it. This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & York https://tanck.com.au/ https://www.bakerandyork.com/https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/ Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    52 min
  7. Nepean By-Election's One Nation Surprise, NT Crisis & Why Japan Matters Right Now

    4 May

    Nepean By-Election's One Nation Surprise, NT Crisis & Why Japan Matters Right Now

    The Nepean by-election and what it reveals about shifting voter behaviour, a confronting case in the Northern Territory and the questions it raises about national attention and response. We also look beyond Australia, as Japan’s Prime Minister visits and signals a deeper shift in the Indo-Pacific. -------------------------- This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & York https://tanck.com.au/ https://www.bakerandyork.com/ https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/ Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    51 min
  8. Gas Tax Debate & What Rwanda Gets Right

    27 Apr

    Gas Tax Debate & What Rwanda Gets Right

    Australia is facing a growing insurance crisis that could reshape where people can live, while debates over gas profits and taxation raise deeper questions about who really benefits from the country’s natural resources. The episode also explores Rwanda, one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, and whether its model of governance offers lessons for the rest of the world. -------------------------- This episode was powered by Tanck and Baker & York https://tanck.com.au/ https://www.bakerandyork.com/ https://www.thepubtestpodcast.com/ Produced by Keehlan Ferrari-Brown

    43 min
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About

Australian politics, minus the spin. Neil Pharaoh and Erin Watson put the week's biggest political stories through the pub test - does it make sense, is it fair, and what does it really mean? New episodes weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    The Pub Test
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Pub Test
  • Show Website
    The Pub Test

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