Late Night Live — Full program podcast Funding Australian TV, and conspiracy theories in Irish politics
Mar 11, 2026
Simon Nasht, former ABC journalist turned documentary maker, and Anna Potter, QUT professor of screen policy, discuss the crisis in Australian TV funding and what counts as an Australian story. They tackle streamers, shrinking drama hours, public subsidies, foreign ownership and targeted support for uniquely Australian and First Nations drama. They also explore why conspiracy theories thrive in Ireland and how to counter them.
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Prioritise Stories That Only Work In Australia
- Prioritise funding for stories that could only be made in Australia by assessing whether the story could be set elsewhere.
- Anna Potter suggests higher or full public funding for First Nations and other uniquely Australian narratives.
Bring Public Voices Into Screen Policy
- Industry voices have been heard and secured obligations on streamers, but ordinary Australians — taxpayers and audiences — are underrepresented in policy decisions.
- Anna Potter argues we should ask citizens what Australian stories they value and how they'd like access.
High Irish Acceptance Of Multiple Conspiracies
- Irish survey tested six conspiracies and found high acceptance, including belief in secret elites and the great replacement.
- Jane Souter reported 36% believed a small secret group runs world politics; replacement and pandemic-related conspiracies also had notable support.