Politics with Michelle Grattan

On this podcast we speak to two close observers about the Victorian election, RedBridge pollster Kos Samaras and the ABC's Victorian state reporter Richard Willingham.

This week, mortgage holders were hit with more bad news as the Reserve Bank raised interest rates for the fifth time this year. Businesses are also feeling the pinch from increasing costs, high rates, and low consumer confidence.
This week, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar, joins us on the podcast to discuss ACCI's prescriptions for the country's economic ills – some of it very strong and unpalatable medicine.

Joe Hockey, former Australian ambassador to Washington and former treasurer in the Abbott government, is now a founding partner and president of Bondi Partners, an advisory and investment firm. Based largely in Washington, he has closely observed both Trump administrations.
In this episode, Hockey joins Michelle Grattan to discuss week's midterm elections in the United States. They unpack why the Republicans are facing a voter backlash, and examine the impact of cost-of-living pressures and the Iran war. Hockey also explains why he believes Trump could become even more aggressive if the Democrats gain control of Congress.

The former industry minister said Australia is 'going too fast' and 'been swamped by US tech' building data centres here to dodge growing US community opposition.

The former treasurer and deputy Liberal leader said he's still deciding whether to make a political comeback, which he'll announce in the new year.