2GB Afternoons - Highlights

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren says the upcoming Victorian state election will be "massively consequential for federal Liberal leader Angus Taylor, with a Liberal victory potentially easing pressure on the party's national standing. McLaren said the election result, and how the vote splits, will provide the first significant indication of where Australians are looking for economic leadership and solutions. 

China's new ambassador to Australia, Liu Jiusong, has called for stronger relations between the two countries, highlighting opportunities for cooperation and trade. But 2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren says concerns over Beijing's authoritarian regime, national security and past trade restrictions remain major obstacles to closer ties.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has highlighted the mounting pressures facing Australia's private sector, as companies, including Qantas look to offshore jobs and businesses grapple with rising costs. 

Australian Unity General Manager Lenette Greer warns older Australians to routinely audit their private health insurance so they aren't paying for obsolete services like pregnancy cover while missing critical future needs. The discussion also covers the looming threat of federal policy changes to the over-65 rebate, which could drastically affect policyholder costs, access, and downgrade rates across the sector.

A four-year feud between Pauline Hanson and Mehreen Faruqi is heading to Australia's highest court in a historic test of Section 18C. Former barrister Louise Clegg joined Michael to break down why this landmark battle could permanently shift the legal limits of free speech.

Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil has defended the government's decision to scrap the proposed sale of Victoria Barracks, insisting that protecting the site's heritage was always a key priority.

Listen to the full interview with Shadow Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism and Shadow Minister for Corrections Anthony Roberts.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren says the government's decision to scrap the sale of Victoria Barracks is no victory, questioning what is being proposed instead.

As Aussies spend 40 hours a week online flocking to platforms like Amazon and Temu, department store staple David Jones has collapsed under massive structural overheads. Retail expert Brian Walker joined the show to explain why the traditional shopping model failed and what a radically downsized future will look like.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has weighed in on the US midterm election results, saying American voters have sent Donald Trump and the Republicans a "very strong message" following a strong showing from the Democrats. 

Formula One legend and former world champion Alan Jones has died aged 80, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of Australia's greatest motorsports figures.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has criticised the Albanese government over its changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, blaming the reforms for Australia's worsening housing market downturn.

Liberal MP for Oatley Mark Coure has announced he will not contest the next New South Wales election, bringing an end to his parliamentary career. 

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has slammed the Federal and State governments, saying they are fuelling Australia's inflation crisis through years of excessive spending.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has questioned why Australian players aren't singing the national anthem, after being impressed by the passion displayed by Tonga and Samoa in Sunday night's Rugby League World Cup match. 

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren believes Jim Chalmers is being made the "fall guy" by the Labor government for Australia's current economic problems, questioning how much of the fiscal policy actually comes from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has questioned whether both the federal and state governments have a clear plan to manage Sydney's population growth.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren warns Australia could face political instability similar to France, as concerns grow over the government's ability to manage the country's challenges.  

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has called on the Australian government to "get smarter" with its spending, warning the nation can't rely on its natural wealth and good fortune forever.   

Treasurer Jim Chalmers challenged critics to name where to cut funding, and independent economist Saul Eslake has answered directly.  Listen to hear Eslake break down the political sacred cows Canberra must tackle to stop Australia from racking up a dangerous debt tab.

2GB Afternoons host Michael McLaren has praised Sunday's rally against the sale of Victoria Barracks, describing the scenes as "wonderful".

The NSW Labour Government is moving to reduce soft plastic waste, with new legislation set to require all single-use takeaway coffee cups to be recyclable from 2028.

Michael McLaren has drawn parallels between Victorian Premier Ben Carroll forgetting to pay for his fuel at the service station and the Labor government's spending.

Listen to the full chat with Vince Williams.

The national secretary of the Transport Workers Union has unpacked the main concerns about driverless taxis as their arrival in Australia grows closer.

Michael McLaren has once again called on governments to face the 'coal-hard truth' about coal's importance.

As listeners rush to defend political missteps with "whataboutism," Michael McLaren delivered a sharp wake-up call to the airwaves.  He broke down why holding our elected leaders to a higher standard is essential for a healthy democracy.

As cost-of-living pressures rise and potential government rebate changes loom, Australian Unity's Lynette Geer joined Michael McLaren to address common private health insurance misconceptions and why over-50s must review their policies. She explained that staying loyal to outdated cover often leads to paying for unused inclusions, clarifying that switching funds or adjusting policy details can lower premiums without resetting served waiting periods.

Michael McLaren has condemned the heinous attack on Indi MP Helen Haines as more details about the suspect come to light.

Michael has called on people to get together this weekend and join in the protest against the sale of Victoria Barracks.

What began as a student dispute over classroom conditions has quickly devolved into violent street warfare across France and Northern Italy. Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan revealed how far-left agitators and radical groups hijacked the student movement to mount an assault on the French state.

Australia's housing market, and Sydney's in particular, is falling fast, and it's leading to carnage.

University students across the country are calling on the taxpayer to cover more of the cost of their degrees.

Warning that streaming Nidal Hasan's execution would be "barbarism masquerading as transparency," Michael McLaren questioned where modern society draws the line on public violence.  He explored the unsettling contradiction between our disgust over state executions and our growing appetite for extreme violence in modern entertainment. 

With ED wait times soaring and thousands of elderly patients trapped in hospital beds awaiting aged care, Dr Justin Thompson warned that Australia's healthcare system is facing a critical bottleneck. 

Michael McLaren has drawn similarities between the closing laps of this year's Bathurst 1000 and Australia's national story.

The space race is back on as the ultra-wealthy look to colonise the moon.    

Michael McLaren takes a look at why Sweden is reversing its race to be the world's first cashless economy and what Australia needs to learn from their climbdown. 

Michael McLaren is not one to say "I told you so", but his warnings of irresponsible government spending and consecutive deficits have come to roost.

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has stepped in and paused the controversial ATO credit card ban from coming into place next month.

Michael McLaren has warned that the Mt Pleasant Coal Mine ruling could lead to more attempts by activists to stymie other coal mine expansions.

In a landmark 3–2 split ruling handed down today, the High Court of Australia dismissed MACH Energy’s appeal regarding the Mount Pleasant coal mine expansion, upholding a decision that state planning authorities must properly consider overseas Scope 3 emissions.

With housing supply strained across Australia, Angus Taylor broke down his controversial proposal to roll back temporary graduate and bridging visas. Stream the full interview to hear how the Coalition intends to balance immigration cuts with a $5 billion infrastructure push.

Michael McLaren has shared a poignant message as he makes clear anti-Semitism runs rampant in contemporary Australia, and it's having a corrosive impact on Jewish Australians, the community and our freedom.

Michael McLaren has warned against rushing immigration policy, as he says it's important to get it right as infrastructure fails to keep up with population growth.

Tensions flare as Michael McLaren challenges Chandler-Mather's profit statistics, pointing to actual net profit margins and questioning how a public competitor would be funded. Listen to the full fiery debate to hear how the plan addresses market dominance, corporate tax loopholes, and the reality of grocery pricing.

Michael McLaren has examined what Labor has in mind for your superannuation after the Trade Minister told officials from Trump's administration that super funds have obligations, including ensuring investments in the US are boosting Australian trade.

It's the latest smelter to need a government bailout, but Bell Bay has proven why the current industrial and energy policy path will doom Australia's future.

The Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayers has blamed the owner for failing to invest in the corporation.