205: Hannah Thomas on the state of protest & Aus Election Study results

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 hav…

204: Osman Faruqi on the nature bill - did Greens wimp out?

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 Gr…

Bonus: Sean Kelly asks ‘What Does Labor Stand For?’

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…

203: Amy Remeikis on why Labor gets away with being worse than LNP

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 mix…

202: Sarah Hanson-Young on the net zero morality of the dead fishes in government

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…

BONUS: Making fun of political ads with Wil Anderson, live at Comedy Republic

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, politi…

201: Punter’s Politics on Mamdani & how lobbyists own Australia

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 l…

200: Live in Melbourne ft. Wil Anderson

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 Queen…

Bonus: The Information Rights Project - Freedom For The Press event

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: Andre…

199: Feeling Climate Triggered as First Homes Guaranteed to cost more

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 …