The Issue
The Issue
The Issue is a weekly podcast that dives deep into the world of politics and global affairs. Hosted by seasoned political reporters Tim Lester and Josh Martin, the show offers insightful analysis, sharp commentary, and thoughtful discussion on the biggest stories shaping our world today. From the halls of Parliament to international summits, The Issue covers a wide range of topics - national polic…Social links:
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This AI professor who has been banned from Russia says this is the next industrial revolution but are the benefits worth the risks?
As the AI revolution ramps up in Australia, AI Professor Toby Walsh is optimistic but cautious. In this week's episode of The Issue, Toby Walsh discusses the rapidly growing number of data centres in Australia and our need to use new renewable energy. He also speaks on worrying AI surveillance tec…
32:56
What would you ask the PM if you had the opportunity? This mortgage broker spent $16.5k to give you the chance at a tennis match
What would you ask Anthony Albanese if you had the chance? Mortgage broker Joseph Daoud dropped $16.5k at a charity auction - not for himself, but to give three everyday Australians a front-row seat to his tennis match with Anthony Albanese at The Lodge. Want in? Tell Joe in 25 words or less what…
31:28
'Too much power in dangerous hands': Experts discuss what the Australian military needs to defend against the drones in our skies
Defence recently confirmed a plague of unidentified flights above RAAF bases. Industry insiders tell us drones are now a critical danger for us all. In this week's episode of The Issue, CEOs Ben Westgarth, Justin Olde, and aviation academic Oleksandra Molloy discuss the drone threat in wars and Au…
23:55
Should Aussie families get a tax cut for having babies? Our great debate with demographer Peter McDonald
All three of the major parties in Australia are now pushing to lower Australia’s migration rate. Pauline Hanson and One Nation have shaken up the debate on population. But if we are going to cut immigration, how do we keep the country growing? Demographer Peter McDonald says he is “pro-chil…
42:06
‘NIMBYs need to suck it up’: Economists brutal take on how to solve Australia’s housing crisis
Chris Richardson says residents who oppose new local developments otherwise known as NIMBYs ("Not In My Back Yard"), need to ‘suck it up’ in for the nation to solve its housing crisis. The Economist says the country’s housing policy for decades has been the word no. “No, you can't do that. N…
38:26
Historian and former Aussie diplomat Lachlan Strahan says we should be 'more concerned' about the military build up in the Indo-Pacific
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has raised concerns with China over its nuclear-capable missile test in the South Pacific. But is that enough? Lachlan Strahan tells The Issue if these types of incidents increase in frequency, we should become ‘more concerned’. The historian and diplomat w…
50:59
Master Builders CEO reveals her fight to build more homes while handling death threats
The CEO of Master Builders Australia has revealed to 7NEWS she received death threats to her family home in Canberra. Denita Wawn says the ordeal pushed her to clean-up the building sector and the construction union, the CFMEU. In this episode of The Issue podcast, she also tackles the tradie shor…
35:43
The famine threat: On Australia's fuel prices, fertiliser shortages, uncertain weather
How secure is Australia’s food supply? The podcast examines that critical Issue this week. We talk to Xavier Martin, a broadacre farmer from the Liverpool Plains and the President of the NSW Farmers Association. He says high fuel prices, shortages of fertiliser and uncertain weather patterns are f…
37:06
The China Threat: RAND expert Mark Cozad explains Australia's biggest security challeng
Bristling with high-tech weapons, Beijing is inseparable from the case for Australia spending tens of billions more on our defence in the years ahead. How dangerous is China's surge in military capability? How does their military strength compare to Australia or the US? RAND security expert Mark C…
29:12
'The US is kind of laughing at us': Greens Senator David Shoebridge reveals the real cost behind the AUKUS submarine deal
The nuclear-powered submarine club, AUKUS, promises security. But besides from the hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars - what is the real cost behind the sub club? In this week's episode of The Issue, Greens NSW Senator David Shoebridge had much to say on Australia's 'sovereign' decision-maki…
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