On Aird - Tasmanian Politics Show

Michael Aird and Kate Rainbird
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On Aird, the best place to get an insight into everything politics. Hosted by former Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Aird and former Tasmanian Labor Political Adviser Kate Rainbird, the duo explores what's happening in Tasmania, Australia and maybe even around the world.

Episodes

  1. May 23

    Budget Death by a Thousand Cuts

    In an effort to rein in Tasmania’s ballooning state debt, Eric Abetz’s 2026 budget takes a knife (or, according to Shadow Treasurer Dean Winter, a chainsaw) to the public service. With little offered in the way of specifics and no revenue raising measures in sight, how likely is it that this approach will succeed? And what should we expect from Labor in response?

    51 min

  2. May 14

    Budget Direct

    We unpick the politics behind the 2026 Federal Budget, which includes a range of tax reforms aimed at addressing intergenerational inequity. While it's not without risk, is it a budget whose time has come?

    43 min

  3. May 12

    The Huon litmus test

    If last week's Legislative Council election in Huon was a litmus test for Tasmanian Labor, the result - just 16% of the vote - was highly acidic. What lessons should be learned and where does the Party go from here?

    1h 2m

  4. May 6

    Call in the Feds

    A year into their second term and with a Federal Budget looming, we discuss the Albanese Government's performance, including a spotlight on Tasmania's Federal Labor team.

    46 min

  5. Apr 27

    Wise Council

    In this episode we discuss what went on at Tasmanian Labor's 2026 State Conference, and the upcoming Legislative Council elections in Huon and Rosevears. Will the usual incumbancy advantage hold true, or could there be an upset on the cards?

    36 min

  6. Apr 16

    Honesty is the Best Policy

    With Labor Party elders calling for a policy reset, and Leader Josh Willie saying there's no mood for change, we take a look at some of the challenges and opportunities for Labor when it comes to policy development. This weekend Labor will hold its first State Conference in 7 years. Amid rumours of internal efforts to stifle debate, will grassroots members have a long awaited opportunity to share their ideas?

    1h 1m

  7. Apr 12

    Too much, too soon

    Early elections have become a bit of a habit in Tasmania. We discuss the 2021, 2024 and 2025 elections, with a focus on how state Labor's fortunes have been impacted by repeated early trips to the polls. Is it time for Tassie to follow the other states of Australia and fix election terms? We also react to Labor's decision this week to oppose taxes on short-stay accommodation.

    58 min

  8. Apr 4

    The F Word

    Everyone's talking about fuel prices. In this week's episode, we discuss the responses of the Tasmanian and Australian Governments to soaring petrol costs and potential fuel shortages. AI has also been on the agenda in Tasmania's Parliament and data centres are hungry for land, energy and water. Are governments ready to respond to the AI revolution?

    52 min

  9. Mar 27

    Snog, Marry, Avoid?

    In this episode of On Aird we discuss the Labor-Greens relationship in Tasmania, including why they didn't do a deal to form government in 2025. A marriage might not be on the cards any time soon, but can there be a progressive government in Tasmania if they won't even hold hands?

    45 min

  10. Mar 20

    A Perilous State

    In this first episode of On Aird we discuss the implications of the recent Tasmanian Fiscal Sustainability Report 2026 - will Tasmania go broke? One Nation have polled at over 20 per cent both nationally and at the state level in Tasmania - are they the new force of the Right? And we look at the winners and losers in the AEC's proposed Tasmanian electoral boundary changes, which will see 1 in 4 Tasmanians move into a different Federal, and likely also State electorate.

    55 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

On Aird, the best place to get an insight into everything politics. Hosted by former Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Aird and former Tasmanian Labor Political Adviser Kate Rainbird, the duo explores what's happening in Tasmania, Australia and maybe even around the world.

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