

Politics with Michelle Grattan
The Conversation
The Conversation's Chief Political Correspondent Michelle Grattan talks politics with politicians and experts, from Capital Hill.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 27, 2025 • 25min
Sussan Ley on Barnaby's defection and how the environment law deal 'fell apart'
Ley says the Opposition was negotiating on the new environment laws with the government into early Thursday – just before Labor announced a deal with the Greens.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025

Nov 18, 2025 • 23min
Liberal Andrew McLachlan on why he'll still promote net zero
The South Australian Liberal senator says he's "dubious" about being able to sell the Coalition's new policy to voters – describing it as "carefree with emissions".Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Nov 13, 2025 • 27min
Murray Watt on the compromises to pass new environmental laws before christmas
With only one sitting week of Parliament left this year, the environment minister reveals the compromises he's willing to make and the hard lines he won't cross to get the deal done.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025

Nov 9, 2025 • 16min
Michelle Grattan remembers the day Whitlam lost his job
Michelle Grattan and the politics and society editor for the Conversation Amanda Dunn, talk about the dismissal.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Nov 5, 2025 • 28min
Niki Savva and David Solomon on The Dismissal
Next week is the 50th anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam government. We're joined by Niki Savva and David Solomon to talk about their memories of that day.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025

Oct 29, 2025 • 30min
Sam Rae on big changes to aged care
Amid rising demand for aged care, major changes are rolling out from Saturday. Minister for seniors Sam Rae explains what the overhaul means for older Australians.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Oct 21, 2025 • 35min
Tony Abbott on Australia's past and the opposition's future
The former Liberal prime minister says he wrote a new history book 'to help contemporary Australians think better of themselves'.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Oct 15, 2025 • 30min
Pollster Tony Barry on why the Coalition can’t risk ‘lurching to the right’
The former Liberal strategist turned pollster says the Coalition has become "catastrophically uncompetitive" with women and younger voters.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Oct 8, 2025 • 30min
Andrew Jakubowicz on repairing our 'fragile' multicultural nation
The multiculturalism expert says increased tensions since the October 7 attacks have raised 'the tideline of hate speech' in Australia.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Oct 2, 2025 • 28min
James Paterson on Andrew Hastie, Sussan Ley and himself
Opposition finance spokesman James Paterson canvasses the economy and the budget, says the Liberals need to sort out its stance on net zero sooner rather than later.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.


