Breaking Politics Podcast

The Albanese Government has handed-down its immigration policy, tightenening access to various visa classes. Labor also intends to lower the net migration rate to about 225,000 within two years. But is this achievable? Senior reporter Josh Bryant spoke to Chief Executive of the Migration Institute of Australia, Peter Van Vliet, to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence developers are calling for greater oversight, warning the rapidly evolving technology could soon pose an existential risk. US President Donald Trump claims tighening regulations risks giving China a competitive advantage. It comes as Open AI threatens to curb investment in Australia, unless the federal government scales back its own AI laws. Senior Reporter Josh Bryant chats with the Director of the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales, Dr Sue Keay, to ascertain what these developments mean. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New analysis shows Australia is on track for it's worst decade of productivity growth in 60-years. The Business Council of Australia says productivity has been declining each year since 2020. The organisation's Chief Executive Bran Black joins Breaking Politics, to discuss what's needed to turn the trend around. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U-S President Donald Trump have overnight spoken for the first time since March. The two leaders discussed a number of key priorities including AUKUS, AI and the status of the Iran War. Mr Albanese pushed the President to reconsider a 12.5% tariff on Australian goods, which was intitiated after the US deemed Australia hadn't done enough to combat modern slavery. President Trump reportedly said he will consider Australia’s request for a full exemption. But will he? Director of Research at the United States Studies Centre Jared Mondschein, joins Breaking Politics to help us find out See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used a key speech to unveil "world-leading" AI regulatory standards, arguing investment in the technology can create jobs, when the right guardrails are in place. An A-I Office established in the P-M's department, while data centres will be required to generate their own power and conserve water. A-I companies will also be forced to seek permission from Australian creatives, if they wish to use their work to train their models. But, will the new regulations protect people from the risks posed by the nascent technology, or will the red-tape stile local investment? AI Expert Dr Atie Kia from Swinburne University of Technology joins Breaking Politics to help us find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cafe and restaurant owners are warning they will need to increase prices, in order to cope with a series of new expenses. The industry is concerned a by 4.75% boost to the award wage, will place further pressure on businesses already feeling the squeeze. David Bitton, who owns Sydney cafe Bitton's Rose Bay claims, the impact of the wage hike will be compounded by other looming expenses. He joins Breaking Politics to dissect what all the changes mean for his business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A small group of locals in rural New South Wales launched "Grain of Hope" to ship 500 tonnes of locally donated wheat to famine-stricken Sudan. Despite facing a massive $1.3 million logistical hurdle due to the skyrocketing costs of shipping into a conflict zone, the team is moving ahead with their first 100-tonne shipment to prove that ordinary people can drive global change. Riverina Farmer Rob Houghton joins Breaking Politics, to give an update on where the project is at. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lowy Institute has released a new analysis claiming western militaries have failed to learn important lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. It argues countries like Australia have been slow to boost capability, while authoritarian states like China, Russia and Iran are rapidly embracing new technologies. Report author Retired Major General Mick Ryan joins Breaking Politics to unpack what needs to change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of four women and nine children with links to Islamic State are set to arrive in Sydney and Melbourne today, ending years of limbo in a Syrian detention camp. While the Federal Police prepare to lay charges against some of the women, the children face a complex journey of therapy, de-radicalisation, and community integration. But, what chance do these children actually have at a normal life? Save the Children CEO Mat Tinkler joins Breaking Politics to give us his take See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal government has announced a suite of changes to reduce the cost of the ballooning NDIS. Eligibility criteria will be tightened, participation will be slashed and mandatory registration for providers will be expanded. CEO of Autism Awareness Australia, Nicole Rogerson, joined Breaking Politics to dissect what the changes will mean for her members. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A top American defence official says the US Navy’s priority is manufacturing its own ballistic missile submarines, not the Virginia-class vessels Australia depends on under AUKUS. Michael Shoebridge from Strategic Analysis Australia joins Breaking Politics to discuss whether Australia will receive it's nuclear submarines by the due date? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the nations most prominent musicians have joined forces calling for a 25 per cent levy on export revenue. Artists including Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins and Ben Lee say the additional funds could be used to help support the local music industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Albanese government has outlined a new framework, expecting tech companies building A-I data centres to fund their own renewable energy infrastructure, in exchange for fast-tracked development approvals. The Opposition says nuclear can't be ruled out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows an increasing number of young Australians are looking for an alternative political system. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI Group analysis shows $10-billion is being drained from the federal budget from illegal cigarettes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Reid represents the NSW Central Coast in Federal Parliament, but he also works part-time as an emergency doctor at a local hospital. He swung by our Canberra studios for an in-depth conversation about the issues facing the healthcare system. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Government has sent the Iranian ambassador and his diplomatic staff packing in response to ASIO's finding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard was responsible for two anti-semitic attacks. We hear from the spy agency's boss, the government and opposition, and an Iranian advocate about the regime's history of foreign interference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State and Federal education ministers have agreed to a raft of childcare reforms including a trial of mandatory CCTV in early learning centres, to better shield young Australians from predators. The overhaul has been discussed at a crucial meeting in Sydney. We hear from the government, opposition, experts and advocates about what the changes mean. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government will inject two billion dollars into a new support program aimed at funnelling children with mild autism and developmental disorders off the National Disability Insurance Scheme. But how will it work, and what does it mean for parents who already rely on the NDIS? We hear from the Health Minister and his opposition counterpart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business executives, union bosses and experts are converging on Parliament House in Canberra for the Federal Government's economic roundtable. But is the three-day gathering just a talkfest, or can we expect genuine economic reform? We hear from the Treasurer, the head of the Productivity Commission, and the boss of the Council of Small Business to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.