Best Robodebt Podcasts (2025)

1
Chat GPT’s new erotica mode 16:05

Play Pause

19h ago16:05

16:05

Recently, the creators of ChatGPT have made a surprising announcement: erotica is coming to the world’s most popular AI platform. It’s the latest step in a transformation of the internet — where artificial intelligence is shaping not just what we read or search, but how we think, feel and even form relationships. Today, associate editor for Crikey …

1
Murdoch’s Playbook, Labor’s Masterstroke, Politician in the Punt Tank 46:31

23h ago46:31

46:31

Bypass the Algorithm, Sign up to the Punter Times Newsletter https://www.punterspolitics.com/pages/email-sign-up We ask whether Murdoch is deliberately tanking the Liberal Party to drag Labor right, unpack Pocock’s “sophisticated toddler” Senate tactic to expose the hidden jobs-for-mates report, and test Monique Ryan’s plan to crack open lobbying a…

1
The Mum fighting Queensland’s puberty blocker ban 16:45

2d ago16:45

16:45

Last week, trans teenagers in Queensland and their families had a short moment of joy: the supreme court overturned the state government’s ban on gender affirming care. The judge found the decision to stop children from accessing puberty blockers was done without proper consultation. He found that the ban had been rushed through without giving medi…

1
The woman who exposed the childcare industry 18:51

3d ago18:51

18:51

Some childcare centres in Australia are so understaffed that children are left alone for hours. Other centres spend less than a dollar a day on feeding them. Yet the industry receives billions in public subsidies and dodgy centres are allowed to keep operating even after serious breaches. What’s emerging is a picture of a broken childcare system – …

1
Australia’s definitely-not-secret deal with Nauru has begun 15:55

4d ago15:55

15:55

Back in 2023, Australia’s top court made a landmark ruling: it was against the law for the Australian government to indefinitely hold people in immigration detention. That ruling had massive implications for our country’s border policies. It overturned 20 years of precedent – and it led to the release of people into the community who had been held …

1
The secret ‘jobs for mates’ report Labor won’t release 16:22

5d ago16:22

16:22

Murray Watt has talked a big game about fixing our environment laws by the end of the year. But this week, the government’s attempt to do that fell apart – with the crossbench and Coalition senators refusing to back the changes. At the same time, Labor faced a dramatic revolt in the Senate over its refusal to release a secret report meant to fix th…

1
How the EU and Nato are countering a new type of warfare 20:57

5d ago20:57

20:57

From cyberattacks to disinformation campaigns, hybrid warfare is reshaping global security. Visiting the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom Mcllroy, speaks with its director, Teija Tiilikainen, about how the EU and Nato are confronting covert interference from Russia, …

1
When Donald Trump met Xi Jinping 15:20

6d ago15:20

15:20

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have met face-to-face for the first time in six years. The meeting, on the sidelines of the APEC summit, comes at a time of deep tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Tariffs are soaring, critical minerals are being weaponised and the battle over tech dominance is reshaping global supply chains. Trump likes…

1
Reddit to the rescue: watchdog sues Microsoft after AI price-hike complaints 29:45

5d ago29:45

29:45

Plenty of big tech companies are losing money on their artificial intelligence investments, begging the question: do people actually want the products? On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the “shock” inflation figures, what energy subsidies have to do with the larger-than-expected increase, and why the Australian Competition…

1
Guardian Essential report: the PM’s rock star moment and his biggest threat 24:58

6d ago24:58

24:58

Anthony Albanese might have had his rock star moment upon his return from the US, but the latest Guardian Essential poll shows voters are unconvinced about the outcomes of his negotiations with US president Donald Trump. Political reporter and Canberra chief of staff Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, about w…

1
The cost of Trump's critical minerals ‘deal’ 16:04

7d ago16:04

16:04

Anthony Albanese’s $13 billion critical minerals deal with Donald Trump has been touted as a huge win – one that strengthens our relationship with our most powerful ally – and delivers massive US investment in our national interest. But while Australia and the US talk it up as a blow to China’s stranglehold on these important commodities, questions…

1
Why the ACCC is suing Microsoft 15:55

8d ago15:55

15:55

Tech giants have invested billions into AI – and are looking for ways to get a return. So when Microsoft offered its customers its new AI function “co-pilot” recently, it told them they’d need to pay a higher price for their subscription – or cancel. AI was now part of the deal, whether they wanted it or not. Except it wasn't. Now, the ACCC is suin…

1
Sky News Propaganda Stunt, Rare Earth Cancer Villages & Your Energy Bill Reality Check 44:25

8d ago44:25

44:25

Bypass the Algorithm, Sign up to the Punter Times Newsletter https://www.punterspolitics.com/pages/email-sign-up We dissect Sky News' propaganda playbook that turned a diplomatic meeting into clickbait while Australia quietly agreed to mine cancer-causing minerals for American weapons, plus the energy news that'll actually make you feel better. Buy…

1
How profit beats safety in childcare 17:38

9d ago17:38

17:38

When Joshua Brown was arrested for allegedly abusing children at childcare centers across Melbourne, it exposed a horrifying reality: patchwork regulation and an understaffed, profit-driven industry is failing children. Months on, as state and federal governments try to deal with the fallout – and as the Albanese government pumps record investment …

1
Inside the public service's ‘Human Handbrake’: why reform stalls and how to fix it 50:03

8d ago50:03

50:03

Demos has released a fascinating paper, The Human Handbrake, on the five human habits that stall public sector reform. In this episode we pick through each of them - fear, heroics, tribes, tidiness, and tempo - and test practical fixes from risk stratification to outcome-focused equity. Topics covered include: fear-driven risk culture and how to st…

1
The NACC has a trust problem 16:12

10d ago16:12

16:12

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has over 200 employees, an annual budget of $60 million, and has received more than 5,000 referrals. It also hasn’t made a single major corruption finding in the two years it’s been operating. And adding to questions around performance and credibility, it was recently revealed that the NACC’s Chief Commission…

1
How China took over the world’s critical minerals 13:26

11d ago13:26

13:26

When Anthony Albanese met with Donald Trump, the two leaders cut a deal on critical minerals worth $13 billion. And as we settle into a new phase of the relationship with our most important ally – this is Australia’s crucial bargaining chip, as the US tries to break China’s grip on the supply chain of critical minerals. China’s global domination ha…

1
Is Barnaby at home in One Nation? 15:43

12d ago15:43

15:43

Barnaby Joyce has announced he would not recontest his seat of New England, saying his “relationship with the leadership of the Nationals in Canberra has unfortunately, like a sadness in some marriages, irreparably broken down”. People are now guessing whether his flirtation with One Nation will turn into marriage. So does the former Nationals lead…

1
Shadow immigration minister Paul Scarr on the ‘mass migration’ myth 17:40

12d ago17:40

17:40

In the aftermath of former frontbencher Andrew Hastie’s fighting words, opposition leader Sussan Ley continues to struggle with persistent internal tensions in the Coalition over its direction on immigration policy. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to shadow minister for immigration Paul Scarr about why he rejects rhetoric about ‘mass migration’…

1
Prince Andrew, Epstein and the emails 16:34

13d ago16:34

16:34

“We are in this together… we’ll play some more soon.” That’s what Prince Andrew wrote to Jeffrey Epstein in 2011 – the day after a photo of Andrew with accuser Virginia Giuffre hit the papers. The email undercuts the prince’s claim that the two had cut ties in 2010, and is part of a new stream of documents surfacing as US Congress releases tens of …

1
How gold became a memecoin 28:05

13d ago28:05

28:05

People have been queuing for gold and it's giving toilet paper in 2020. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the critical minerals agreement struck between the Australian and American governments, Andrew Leigh’s new anti-price gouging legislation, and why Aussies have been lining up for gold. Dead Centre: How political pragma…

1
The ‘playbook’ lobbyists use to delay climate action 16:14

14d ago16:14

16:14

When Professor Christian Downie appeared before a Senate inquiry into climate and energy misinformation, he warned that Australia is facing coordinated campaigns designed not to debate climate solutions, but to stall them. Professor Downie has spent years inside boardrooms and the lobbying world studying how these campaigns are built – tracing the …

1
Trump and Albanese’s new friendship 16:44

15d ago16:44

16:44

Anthony Albanese was so chuffed with his meeting with US President Donald Trump that the prime minister joked he’d use Trump’s endorsement in his next campaign ads. While Trump is used to a procession of world leaders coming through his door, there was more at stake for Albanese, who is trying to manage an increasingly difficult relationship. In th…

1
The Real Reason Your Mortgage Went Up, Coal Cartel Steals $400M & Your Phone Bill is a LIE 32:50

15d ago32:50

32:50

Bypass the Algorithm, Sign up to the Punter Times Newsletter https://www.punterspolitics.com/pages/email-sign-up Punter Konrad and Punter James play the blame game to reveal exactly who's behind your biggest bills - from Adani dodging $400 million in Queensland courts to Santos secretly driving up your mortgage and energy costs, plus the phone comp…

1
Russia can be beaten 14:05

16d ago14:05

14:05

When Donald Trump met Vladimir Putin in Alaska back in August, he rolled out the red carpet, talked up his ability to end the war, but ultimately came away with no deal. Now, high off his recent Middle East peace deal, Trump is saying he’s “gotta get Russia done”. He met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last week – and he’s preparing ano…

1
The world according to Tony Abbott 14:39

17d ago14:39

14:39

Charlie Lewis writes about politics for Crikey. He’s been a close observer of Tony Abbott – from his time as a Liberal Party bomb thrower, to his face-offs with Julia Gillard, to his short ‘Prince Philip-themed’ time as prime minister. Now, Charlie’s tracking Abbott’s political afterlife: which brings him to Sydney’s affluent Northern Beaches, and …

1
This is Alice Springs: Children of the Intervention 29:38

18d ago29:38

29:38

From afar, Alice Springs is a whirlpool of myth and truth. A town with competing interests and few solutions, marked by chaos and decades of government overreach. That all came to a head earlier last year, with what’s been described as a “youth riot” in town. The violence led to the Northern Territory government imposing an emergency curfew. This i…

1
This is Alice Springs: The coppers 31:24

18d ago31:24

31:24

Police are everywhere in Alice Springs. You see them driving pursuit vehicles and caged vans on the streets, or stationed outside the bottle shop checking IDs. But more police doesn’t mean less crime – it just means more people are getting locked up. As Alice Springs reels from the police shooting of Warlpiri teenager Kumanjayi Walker, and in the w…

1
This is Alice Springs: Mparntwe 29:09

18d ago29:09

29:09

Alice Springs is littered with “For Sale” signs as those who can afford it are packing up and leaving. Punitive government curfews made daily life more challenging, and families struggle to see a future for themselves if things continue the way they are. With the Country Liberal Party elected on a promise to be even tougher on crime – and lowering …

1
Why Chalmers backtracked on big super balances 15:29

19d ago15:29

15:29

This week, the federal government dramatically re-wrote its signature tax policy. The changes mean that a small section of people with very high super balances will pay less tax. That backflip has big consequences – for the government's budget, and for its commitment to addressing wealth inequality in this country. Today, press gallery journalist P…

1
AI and the productivity challenge with Andrew Leigh 22:07

19d ago22:07

22:07

This week, the Albanese government has been criticised for a tactical backdown on its plan to wind back tax concessions on superannuation balances worth more than $3m. But the assistant minister for productivity, competition, charities and treasury, Andrew Leigh, argues that this change in approach has maintained fairness in the super system. The M…

1
Why David Pocock was booted from parliament's sports club 14:20

20d ago14:20

14:20

The Australian Parliament Sports Club has been attracting a lot of unwanted attention lately – for registering as a lobbying group, accepting sponsorship from the gambling lobby, and for kicking out ex-Wallabies captain David Pocock for having a problem with all that. Daanyal Saeed is Crikey’s media reporter and he broke the story in the first plac…

1
Pots and kettles: Trump trades barbs with China over trade 33:05

20d ago33:05

33:05

The global economic outlook is “dim” according to a new report, driven by uncertainty over Trump’s economic and trade policies. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest World Economic Outlook from the International Monetary Fund, the latest trade spat between the United States and China, why fewer Australians are trave…

1
‘ISIS brides’ and the Aussie kids stuck in Syria 14:40

21d ago14:40

14:40

In a desert camp in northeast Syria, behind razor wire, with thousands of other people, live 12 Australian women and 25 Australian children. They are the wives and children of men who went to Syria to join ISIS. With Australia unwilling to help bring them home, they’re living in danger – and in limbo. The recent arrival of two women and four childr…

1
The embassy run by exiles 14:58

22d ago14:58

14:58

When the Taliban retook Afghanistan in August 2021, the country’s embassy in Canberra stayed open. It’s an embassy in exile – staffed by diplomats from the former administration – and advocating on behalf of Afghans here in Australia. Until now, there have been 17 embassies of its kind around the world – in countries that don’t formally recognise t…

1
Is Mass Immigration Destroying Housing? Foreign Corps Pay Zero Tax & Pocock's Gambling Showdown 1:08:14

22d ago1:08:14

1:08:14

Sign up to the Punter Times Newsletter https://www.punterspolitics.com/pages/email-sign-up This week, Konrad and James expose how foreign corporations like Shell made $127 billion in Australia while paying virtually zero tax, reveal the governments hidden gambling connections, and host the first-ever Puntermon Battle between two economists who can'…

1
Why protests are getting more dangerous 13:47

23d ago13:47

13:47

Melbourne photojournalist Alex Zucco was cleaning her camera lens when a police officer hit her directly in the face with a stream of capsicum spray at a protest outside the Melbourne Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition last year. In July this year, a police officer allegedly punched former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas in the face a…

1
“It’s just a minor restructure” said no calendar ever 49:11

22d ago49:11

49:11

In our second change management episode, Danielle pulls apart the myth of the “minor” restructure and lay out a practical way to change without breaking the work. From function mapping and ministerial comms to union engagement and the “fourth trimester”, we consider how to make change stick with clarity and care. why six to nine months is realistic…

1
The outdated trans study still doing damage 16:17

24d ago16:17

16:17

In the 1970s, eight children in Perth were sent to a psychiatric hospital to be ‘treated’ for being transgender. Their experiences became the basis of a medical study that claimed kids could be cured of their identity. Now, nearly forty years after it was released, that same study is being cited in arguments against trans healthcare and being used …

1
Spotify and the AI arms race 14:25

25d ago14:25

14:25

Recently, Spotify’s founder, Daniel Ek, announced he’s stepping back from running the company. He leaves as one of the richest men in his home country of Sweden – with Forbes estimating his wealth at $9.6 billion. In a departure note to staff, Ek said he wants to focus on creating more European “supercompanies” – companies he described as “developi…

1
'ISIS brides' and broken environment laws 16:23

26d ago16:23

16:23

Labor is trying to land one of its toughest reforms – an overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws. Environment Minister Murray Watt says he wants to speed up housing and energy project developments, make it clear where construction can and can’t go ahead, and create a federal environment watchdog. After a failed deal with the Greens in the last p…

1
The human cost of a broken aged care system with Penny Allman-Payne 24:25

26d ago24:25

24:25

As Labor’s new aged care system gets set to begin on 1 November, Greens senator Penny Allman-Payne speaks about her father’s recent move into residential aged care and the personal stories she has heard as chair of a Greens-led inquiry into the sector. She speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, about how she has seen lives …

1
Why Israel and Hamas agreed to Trump’s peace deal 15:40

27d ago15:40

15:40

Almost two years to the day since October 7, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The agreement involves the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, with Israel pulling back its troops to an agreed-upon line and allowing aid into Gaza. The first hostages are expected to be…

1
Housing affordability to get worse as big corporates do annual tax magic 31:58

28d ago31:58

31:58

Renting a place to live is getting more expensive and house price rises are tipped to accelerate. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss housing affordability, how so many of Australia’s biggest companies manage to pay zero (0) corporate tax, and how Trump made solving the tax problem that much harder. Use the code ‘podcast’ to…

1
How Albanese killed the climate wars 15:05

28d ago15:05

15:05

Anthony Albanese was first elected on a pledge to fix the climate wars. The most recent test of that promise was the emissions targets he announced on the world stage. But if the targets themselves don’t meet the standards set by scientists – and the policy underpinning them hasn’t dramatically altered – what’s really going to change? Today, journa…

1
Why Albanese won't solve the housing crisis 16:21

29d ago16:21

16:21

By Solstice Media

1
Is Labor's Housing Policy Any Good? & The Irish Solution to Australia's Broken Democracy 38:29

28d ago38:29

38:29

By Punter Konrad & Punter James

1
Is another Coalition spill brewing? 14:00

30d ago14:00

14:00

By Solstice Media

1
How the gambling lobby infiltrated social sports at Parliament House 14:20

1M ago14:20

14:20

Every Wednesday morning during sitting weeks, politicians, staffers, public servants and journalists gather for a friendly game of sport. It’s meant to be casual, even wholesome. But recently, that club, the Parliament Sports Club, quietly re-registered as a lobbying organisation. Its board includes the Prime Minister. Its members include represent…

1
The woman who exposed Robodebt 29:23

1M ago29:23

29:23

This week, Rick Morton won the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for his book Mean Streak. It’s a huge achievement and we are thrilled for him. This book was the culmination of years of reporting on Robodebt – a government scheme that destroyed lives. At 7am, we were lucky enough to work with Rick on a series, which we published in 2023, about how R…