The debate on the rise of Pauline Hanson is shifting rapidly.

This week, for the first time, polls are showing One Nation's primary vote has risen above the Labor Party's.

A conversation that focused on One Nation and the Coalition swapping preferences has now shifted to more profound questions about the long-term configuration of the right flank of Australian politics.

Hanson is yet to face the full force of scrutiny on her policies, her position on race relations and whether her party really is a credible governing outfit.

Pauline Hanson joined chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal for this bonus episode of Inside Politics, recorded in Parliament House on Wednesday.

The debate on the rise of Pauline Hanson is shifting rapidly.
This week, for the first time, polls are showing One Nation's primary vote has risen above the Labor Party's.
A conversation that focused on One Nation and the Coalition swapping preferences has now shifted to more profound questions about the long-term configuration of the right flank of Australian politics.
Hanson is yet to face the full force of scrutiny on her policies, her position on race relations and whether her party really is a credible governing outfit.
Pauline Hanson joined chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal for this bonus episode of&nbsp;Inside Politics, recorded in Parliament House on Wednesday.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

Inside Politics

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Join host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent David Crowe every Friday.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Join host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent David Crowe every Friday.

‘Don’t say it’s a protest vote’: Pauline Hanson on One Nation’s resurgence

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/f18d6b0a-ee43-4700-bf1e-b45e01822296/transcript

Today we have something special and a little bit different because Tony Wright, one of the stalwarts of Australian political writing, is stepping back from daily newsroom duties after 50 years in journalism.
For about 30 of these years, Tony reported on federal politics. Bob Hawke was the first prime minister he covered, while Paul Keating often rang Tony at home in the mornings to, at first, berate, and then debate, the stories he had written.

He witnessed great moments - such as the apology to the stolen generations - and the fracturing of Australian politics from the Rudd-Gillard era.

Today, Tony talks to Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

 

Background reading
‘Hawkie would like to see you’: Lessons, power and nostalgia from 30 years in the press gallery

 

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

Today we have something special and a little bit different because <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/by/tony-wright-hve1u">Tony Wright,</a> one of the stalwarts of Australian political writing, is stepping back from daily newsroom duties after 50 years in journalism. For about 30 of these years, Tony reported on federal politics. Bob Hawke was the first prime minister he covered, while Paul Keating often rang Tony at home in the mornings to, at first, berate, and then debate, the stories he had written.
He witnessed great moments - such as the apology to the stolen generations - and the fracturing of Australian politics from the Rudd-Gillard era.
Today, Tony talks to&nbsp;Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.
&nbsp;
Background reading
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hawkie-would-like-to-see-you-lessons-power-and-nostalgia-from-30-years-in-the-press-gallery-20260819-p60ptu.html">&lsquo;Hawkie would like to see you&rsquo;: Lessons, power and nostalgia from 30 years in the press gallery</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/smh-the-age/id6442611511">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0tWOA2mdi5WU9hvjJ3da?si=f4b8d7fafdf5495d">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrLulycax3584BxKI1ZqSySsouknCWiUa">YouTube</a> or whichever platform you find your pods.

Tony Wright on the best and worst prime ministers, and the courage needed now

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/bc073284-1285-4069-8bcf-b4ac0051e2c2/transcript

We’re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister.

Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called ‘Bush Deep’ and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister.

What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week.

So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese’s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it?

While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management.
Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she’d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values – aren’t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy?

Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

We&rsquo;re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister.
Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called &lsquo;Bush Deep&rsquo; and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister.
What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week.
So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese&rsquo;s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it?
While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management. Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she&rsquo;d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values &ndash; aren&rsquo;t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy?
Today&rsquo;s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

The melon story – Is the prime minister just really bad at saying sorry?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/72e958e5-0bfa-47df-a4ee-b4a500620708/transcript

This week on Inside Politics, we take a look at some of the major policy challenges facing the Albanese government – from migration numbers, to gambling-advertising reform and the news media bargaining code between Australian media and big tech companies.

Joining host Jacqueline Maley are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

 

Background reading:
Coalition will force Albanese to cede ground on gambling reforms
Needs work: Burke’s plans for migration overhaul delayed due to cabinet questions
‘Publicity-seeking extremists’: V’landys weighs in as gambling inquiry gets personal

This week on Inside Politics, we take a look at some of the major policy challenges facing the Albanese government &ndash; from migration numbers, to gambling-advertising reform and the news media bargaining code between Australian media and big tech companies.
Joining host <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/by/jacqueline-maley-hve78">Jacqueline Maley</a> are chief political correspondent <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/by/paul-sakkal-h17jxj">Paul Sakkal</a> and federal political correspondent <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/by/natassia-chrysanthos-h17jwj">Natassia Chrysanthos</a>.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, please rate, review &amp; subscribe on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/smh-the-age/id6442611511">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0tWOA2mdi5WU9hvjJ3da?si=f4b8d7fafdf5495d">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrLulycax3584BxKI1ZqSySsouknCWiUa">YouTube</a> or whichever platform you find your pods.
&nbsp;
Background reading:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/coalition-will-force-albanese-to-cede-ground-on-gambling-reforms-20260805-p60lkj.html">Coalition will force Albanese to cede ground on gambling reforms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/needs-work-burke-s-plans-for-deep-migration-cuts-delayed-due-cabinet-concerns-20260805-p60lim.html">Needs work: Burke&rsquo;s plans for migration overhaul delayed due to cabinet questions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pretty-egregious-claims-betting-companies-deny-wooing-clients-with-drugs-escorts-20260804-p60l8m.html">&lsquo;Publicity-seeking extremists&rsquo;: V&rsquo;landys weighs in as gambling inquiry gets personal</a></li>
</ul>

Immigration, gambling and big tech: Labor’s big policy push

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/324f5ed8-9aa1-45de-bbfd-b49e00643eb9/transcript

‘Don’t say it’s a protest vote’: Pauline Hanson on One Nation’s resurgence

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