Serious Danger

City councils vs cartoon watermelons. Tom is joined by guest host Alex McKinnon, co-founder of Deepcut News! First up, a politician expenses scandal has hit (23:52). Are these just distractions running from a template? And are Greens just as bad as the majors? Then, the under-16s social media ban hits (50:21). Will kids just instantly get around it? Why does breakfast radio continue to set the agenda in Aussie politics? Finally, a ...

In this bonus series for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald continue chapter 11 of author Paddy Manning’s epic history of the Australian Greens movement, “Inside The Greens: The Origins and Future of the Party, the People and the Politics.”

In this instalment - Richard DiNatalie flirts with the mainstream, reform of Group Voting Tickets in the Senate, the 2006 election, Turnbull as PM, Batman and Grayndle...

New theme song! Tom is joined by guest host, Greens candidate and activist, Hannah Thomas! First, an update on her health and the legal proceedings following her assault by a police officer during a pro-Palestinian protest (2:48). Then, Rising Tide is back for another year and plenty of legends have been arrested for blocking coal ships (25:52). Finally, a look at the recent results from the Australian Election Survey for the 2025 ...

Pauline’s back with another attempt to woo MAGA, aka a burqa for a berko. Tom is joined by guest host Osman Faruqi, as he prepares to present Lamestream’s Ls of the Year Awards. First up, the Greens have agreed to pass the Environment Protection Reform Bills (19:11). Was this a capitulation by a Greens party cowed into submission, or a pragmatic move to take the best they could get? Then, the Greens held a National Memb...

In this sample of the new bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald is back! And joined by Tom to meet Sean Kelly, former Labor staffer and current journalist, to discuss his new Quarterly Essay, “The Good Fight: What Does Labor Stand For?” Are Labor cowardly cowards, or clever pragmatists who know how to play the game? What is Anthony Albanese actually up to? How can the Australian left movement get our own &ldquo...

The Griff needs your help! Tom is joined by returning favourite Amy Remeikis, one of the few good journalists. First up a bit of Trump Epstein emails chat as a little treat (8:40). Then, the Coalition dumped net zero and all it does is provide cover for Labor to be 99% as bad (15:43). Next up a mixed-bag of the government being a bag of shit (45:10). Did you know the new CSIRO cuts are worse than Tony Abbott did? But it’s Lab...

Tom and The Griff marvel at Max Chandler-Mather getting a fair run in an Australian newspaper!? Next, Tom is joined by Sarah-Hanson Young, Greens senator for South Australia! First up, the state of play and then a look at a recent Crikey article featuring unhappy Greens staffers (19:01). Then, with the LNP ditching net zero, and the country seemingly unbothered that Labor has effectively ditched it, what is going on? (38:39)

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In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined live at Comedy Republic in Melbourne by Wil Anderson!

As is his curse for life, we asked him to analyse commercials with us. From baby Adam Bandt, Labor cosplaying as Greens, Pauline going for schmaltz, and many more, political advertising in Australia is as strange as the politics itself.

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The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon su...

Say nup to the annual Michael McCormack Melbourne Cup skit. Tom is joined by guest host Konrad Benjamin, aka Punter’s Politics! What is his superhero origin story? First up, this week saw Punters' Politics Political Fundraising Gala Dinner, a crowd-sourced plan to buy leftie lobbyists (20:51). Is lobbying the root cause of all political evil? Next up, with Zohran Mamdani’s big win in the New York mayoral race, what is P...

Video version - https://youtu.be/p7BpEuvzV_k

Live from the Comedy Republic in Melbourne, it’s our 200th episode! It’s Emerald’s last weekly show! First, Albo is secretly a Joy Division t-shirt nazi!? Then some good news as Victoria signed a treaty with its First Peoples, and some bad news as Queensland banned puberty blockers for adolescents. Will some Zohran Mamdami and Zack Polan...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom moderates the ‘Freedom For The Press’ event live at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday 15th October 2025.

“Censorship and secrecy threaten democracy. A discussion on press freedom and the public’s right to know.”

The panel features:

• Andrew Wilkie MP – Independent Federal MP & defender of whistleblowers
<...

Mr. Albanese Goes To Washington and sells our resources for cheap to dictator while media takes Rudd bait. Emerald and Tom look at the announcement that the government's overhaul of Australia's environment laws won’t include a climate trigger. (9:09) But would a trigger have even stopped them from approving every possible mine? Then, duelling of the thinkpieces as Emma Dawson and Max Chandler-Mather both put out articles abou...

Emerald is joined by guest host, #auspol legend and Chief Economist at The Australia Institute, Greg Jericho! First up, a chat about his career and being a fellow target of important public interest journalist James Massola (3:25). (We thought about asking James to come on the show, but he’s very busy breaking Watergate 2.) Next, what should we make of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas? (16:23) Could only Trump have made...

Pauline Hanson is upset about paper bags for her pointless distraction this week. Emerald and Tom go through the Optus 000 saga after more unanswered calls have resulted in three deaths (7:52). You can’t privatise essential services without breaking a few eggs! Then, a look at the controversial recent Larissa Waters’ appearance on Insiders (35:37), which has brought criticism for her takes on Israel, Manchester and wind...

In this bonus series for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald are joined by Dru Sims, President of the UQ Greens, to discuss student politics! What does politics at uni look like in 2025? Is it a breeding ground for the cesspool of grown up politics? And  what is the state of the race in the UQ union election?

UQU election dates -

Fri Oct 10th midday - postal vote applications close

Mon Oct 13th 9:30am - voting opens

Fr...

Freya Fired Out! Emerald and Tom are joined by leader of the Greens in the ACT, Shane Rattenbury! (12:58) First up a look at ACT politics and the state of play. Then, housing (34:24). As ACT makes it a human right, the federal 5% Home Guarantee Scheme comes into effect. Are these policies actually designed to make things worse? Finally, a call to action (1:07:54).

Video version - https://youtu.be/Pf_vLW2F8w0 

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In this bonus series for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald continue chapter 10 of author Paddy Manning’s epic history of the Australian Greens movement, “Inside The Greens: The Origins and Future of the Party, the People and the Politics.”

In this instalment - Christine Milne is a controversial leader, Tassie troubles, Scott Ludlam comes and goes, the party debates blocking the 2014 budget, Milne leaves,...

Albanese goes to the UN to obtain photographic evidence to prove to the other kids that Trump thinks he’s cool. Tom is joined by guest host and Greens upper house member for NSW, Abigail Boyd, MLC! What is the state of NSW politics? (12:58) And updates on Hannah Thomas, the childcare industry inquiry, worker’s comp, and some colourful characters in parliament. Finally, a call to action (55:42).

Video version - https://y...

The emissions targets are out, and we need to get it right. Emerald and Tom go over the news that the United Nations (sort of) released a report declaring Israel’s action in Palestine a genocide (12:20). So that’s all sorted then? Next up, Susssssan Ley gave a speech this week about breaking the “growing expectation that the government will pay for everything.” (34:31) With no repercussions for robodebt, it&...