The Canberra Playbook Podcast

POLITICO
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Politics
  • Semiweekly

POLITICO’s early morning guide to what’s driving Australian politics — and why it matters. The Canberra Playbook Podcast is hosted by Amanda Copp. Each 15-minute episode Monday, Wednesday and Friday, brings listeners two conversations: a political interview that goes beyond the soundbites, and a conversation with a journalist from POLITICO's global newsroom. Together, we’ll take you behind the scenes of Australia’s power shifts and how these moves connect Australia to the U.S., Europe and the world. Clear, conversational and grounded in reporting, the Canberra Playbook Podcast brings you the people and context behind the day’s biggest stories.

  1. 1d ago

    Who is One Nation’s first ever Victorian MP?

    It’s November and that means it’s almost the Victorian election. Amanda Copp and POLITICO Australia editor Ryan Heath discuss the state of the race and what One Nation’s polling might mean. Amanda speaks with Ricky Lee Tyrrell, the party’s first and only MP in the Victorian Parliament, about its rapid growth, its prospects at the election, scrutiny of its funding and safety concerns for politicians. Chapters 00:00 – Conversations in Canberra01:54 – Albanese’s overseas trip and the proposed AI safety regulator02:56 – Victoria’s election: the polls and the anti-incumbent mood06:08 – Ricky Lee Tyrrell on One Nation’s growth and election hopes09:02 – Why Tyrrell thinks One Nation is gaining support10:03 – Gina Rinehart’s influence and One Nation’s party machinery12:30 – Political safety after the attack on Helen Haines15:35 – Coming up on Friday Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

  2. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Energy Minister Chris Bowen on leading talks at COP31

    With COP31 underway in Turkey, Energy and Climate Minister Chris Bowen joins the podcast to discuss Australia’s unique role in the conference. He’s leading negotiations at the summit as the world struggles to meet its climate targets. Data centres are putting pressure on grids globally and China’s dominance in EV and renewable energy markets is raising new security questions. Chapters 00:00 – Amanda Copp introduces the COP31 interview 01:55 – Chris Bowen on Australia’s role at COP31 02:36 – What would success at the climate talks look like? 06:39 – Electrification, electricity demand and AI 09:45 – Why AI is not a formal COP agenda item 11:58 – Bowen’s rules for data centre investment 14:11 – Can gas back up renewable energy? 16:21 – Australia’s climate goals and fossil fuel exports 18:28 – Pacific partners and the 1.5-degree target 22:17 – Is global climate ambition fading? 24:29 – China’s role in clean energy and COP31 Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

  3. 3d ago

    COP31 and the only journalist at the Greens National conference

    POLITICO had the only journalist at The Greens national conference this week. Reporter Finn McHugh joins Amanda Copp to explain why and what members discussed behind closed doors.  Plus, with COP31 underway, Amanda speaks with former Queensland deputy premier and Clean Energy Council CEO Jackie Trad about the global push for renewable energy and Australia’s role. Trad discusses the Coalition’s net-zero policy, the cost of replacing ageing coal generators and why she says investment depends on stable, bipartisan policy. Chapters 00:00 – On today’s show01:16 – Why was Finn the only journalist at the Greens conference?04:03 – The future of choosing Greens leaders05:48 – Australia’s role at COP3106:35 – Jackie Trad on the mood at the climate conference08:51 – Is the global clean-energy transition still on track?10:14 – Net-zero policy and investment certainty12:42 – Do renewables push up electricity prices?14:04 – What happens when three coal generators retire?15:49 – What’s coming up on Canberra Playbook Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

  4. 6d ago

    US midterms SPECIAL and left-wing resurgence

    A decisive Democratic victory in the US midterms has shaken up American politics and left Donald Trump with a Congress controlled by his opponents. POLITICO senior White House reporter Megan Messerly joins Amanda Copp to explain the scale of the result, the voters who shifted back to the Democrats and what the loss means for Trump’s influence. Amanda speaks with Greens leader David Shoebridge ahead of his party’s national conference this weekend. He lays out his plan to replace Labor as the major force on the left, and says the Greens can learn from progressive campaigns in the United States. Chapters 00:00 – The Democrats’ midterm sweep 02:44 – The states that surprised everyone 04:15 – Demographic shifts 06:18 – The end of the Trump era? 08:02 – David Shoebridge on the Greens’ future 11:07 – Culture war issues and building a broader coalition 13:25 – One Nation outperforming Greens 15:19 – What the Greens can learn from the US midterms 16:53 – Interest rates, inflation and government policy 18:09 – The Greens’ case against new AI data centres 19:41 – Cross-party relationships 21:58 – Megan Messerly on the rise of progressive politics 24:58 – What’s coming up  Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

  5. Nov 3

    Could a small party decide the NZ election?

    New Zealand’s government is on a knife-edge with the election looming on Saturday. Veteran Kiwi political reporter Guyon Espiner joins host Amanda Copp to assess what’s driving the voters, PM Christopher Luxon’s falling popularity and the role of smaller parties in deciding who governs. Plus, Amanda and the team discuss Reddit’s High Court challenge to Australia’s under-16 social media ban. So far, the judges aren’t buying it. And of course who could ignore the latest interest rate rise, the pressure it puts on mortgage holders and the government. Chapters 00:00 – Squeezed: interest rates, the High Court and New Zealand’s election 01:11 – Reddit’s High Court challenge to the under-16 social media ban 03:05 – Inflation, the RBA and pressure on Jim Chalmers 04:24 – Guyon Espiner on New Zealand’s knife-edge election 05:13 – Can Christopher Luxon’s coalition win a second term? 06:38 – Luxon’s popularity and leadership challenges 07:54 – Cost of living tops voters’ concerns 09:06 – The parties gaining ground as voters feel the squeeze 11:29 – Could the Opportunity Party become kingmaker? 12:43 – Espiner’s election prediction 13:38 – The US midterms and what’s next Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

  6. Nov 1

    Should Australia keep the King?

    Anthony Albanese is at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, Amanda Copp and POLITICO Australia editor Ryan Heath discuss the debate over slavery reparations and what the summit could deliver for middle powers. But while the PM is away, the RBA will make its next interest rates decision. And… with the Commonwealth front of mind, questions are back on whether Australia should become a republic. Amanda speaks with both sides of the debate.  Chapters 00:00 – CHOGM, the republic debate and interest rates01:06 – Britain and the debate over slavery reparations04:24 – The case for and against an Australian republic04:53 – Monarchist League spokesperson Beverly McArthur10:32 – Republic Movement co-chair Esther Anatolitis16:26 – Tomorrow’s RBA decision and pressure on the budget17:46 – What’s coming up on Canberra Playbook Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

  7. Oct 29

    Senate estimates and super scandals

    POLITICO’s Canberra correspondent, and resident Senate estimates enthusiast, Miriam Webber joins Amanda Copp to unpack a week of estimates, including the ATO’s short-lived attempt to stop businesses paying tax by credit card, Defence spending, and public servants’ concerns about privacy.  Amanda then takes a look into what’s being described as Australia’s biggest superannuation scandal. She speaks with CHOICE Senior Investigative Journalist, Jarni Blakkarly, and Jessica Spence of Super Consumers Australia about their new podcast, ‘The Collapse’. They discuss how more than 11,000 Australians lost over $1.1 billion, proposed reforms and whether regulators could have acted sooner.  Chapters 00:00 – Meet Miriam Weber and the week’s “cheese” debate 01:15 – Senate estimates: the ATO, Defence and the week’s takeaways 02:37 – Public servants push back on clips of hearing evidence 04:03 – Is Senate estimates delivering transparency? 04:59 – The EU trade deal and concerns over cheese and beef 06:46 – The Collapse: the Shield and First Guardian super funds 08:09 – The human cost for investors who lost their super 10:02 – Could investors have spotted the risks? 11:02 – Proposed reforms, compensation and preventing another collapse 13:13 – ASIC’s response and the case for regulatory reform 14:12 – The human stories and restoring trust in super 16:30 – What’s coming up on Canberra Playbook Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

  8. Oct 27

    The ‘black box’ controlling aging Australians lives

    Shadow Health Minister, Anne Ruston, joins Amanda Copp to discuss the government algorithm determining the lives of older Australians. A major report has found big flaws in the age care assessment tool. Amanda and POLITICO Australia Editor, Ryan Heath, also discuss the latest inflation figures and interest rates, plus the new Greens leader David Shoebridge’s proposal to lift the tax-free threshold. Chapters 00:00 – Amanda Copp and Ryan Heath on a number “crunchy” week in Canberra00:53 – Inflation, cost-of-living pressures and the RBA02:52 – Greens’ David Shoebridge’s proposed income tax cuts05:18 – Anne Ruston on Senate estimates and government transparency06:45 – The aged care assessment algorithm and the ombudsman’s findings09:29 – Ruston’s call for human decision making in aged care assessments11:30 – Delays in home care packages and people waiting for support13:21 – Private health insurance rebates for over-65s15:38 – Amanda and Ryan on aged care and the limits of a centralised system17:41 – What’s coming up on Canberra Playbook Give us your feedback: Send us a WhatsApp message to +61 494 380 487 or an email at canberraplaybook@politico.com. Subscribe to Canberra Playbook: Get POLITICO’s reporting and analysis of Australian politics delivered to your inbox at politico.com/canberra-playbook.

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POLITICO’s early morning guide to what’s driving Australian politics — and why it matters. The Canberra Playbook Podcast is hosted by Amanda Copp. Each 15-minute episode Monday, Wednesday and Friday, brings listeners two conversations: a political interview that goes beyond the soundbites, and a conversation with a journalist from POLITICO's global newsroom. Together, we’ll take you behind the scenes of Australia’s power shifts and how these moves connect Australia to the U.S., Europe and the world. Clear, conversational and grounded in reporting, the Canberra Playbook Podcast brings you the people and context behind the day’s biggest stories.

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