Bubble Pop Podcast

The election is ALMOST here and the air could not be more tense in Parliament House. But how is an election called? And once it IS called, what do you, as a voter, have to do? Amanda answers all that in this week’s episode. We also look at what has been happening in the NSW Liberal party and how it could be delaying the election.

Guests: 

- Evan Ekin-Smyth, Australian Electoral Commission

- Max Maddison, Political Reporter at The Australian 

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Bubble Pop is back for another year! This week, the Budget was handed down, but what does it mean for you? And how will it affect the election in May? And, a new deal between China and the Solomon Islands is making Australia nervous. Find out why on this week’s show. 

Guests: 

Chris Richardson, Deloitte Access Economics Partner

Graeme Smith, ANU Department of Pacific Affairs Senior Fellow 

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The federal election is just around the corner and things are getting nasty in Parliament House. ScoMo says Albo is "weak", while Albo says Scott is loose with the truth. But the political insults are just beginning as we get into campaign season. 

Sarah and Amanda take you through the latest, and explain how Covid will affect how you vote. 

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We are back for another year and ready to tell you everything you need to know about federal politics. But first! What happened over the summer break? Sarah and Amanda catch you up to speed on what went down while you were on holiday. TLDR: Omicron ruined everything, and parliament is a mess.

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What a year… Here we were thinking that 2020 was the year to end all years and then came 2021 - more Covid-19, seemingly never-ending lockdowns, and more sexual assault stories than the Australian media has probably ever covered. But the downs came the high, the whole of Australia got vaccinated and it looks like women’s rights are taking a turn for the better. We take you back through the year that was and what you can look forward to on the political calendar next year.

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We made it! Parliament is finally over for the year! We take you through exactly what happened in the last parliamentary sitting week of 2021 - the most notable was a massive report on sexual harassment and bullying in Parliament House. We speak to the longest-serving female MP Tanya Plibersek about her time in parliament. Then we take a look at new rules for social media companies that mean online trolls could finally be unmasked.

Guests: 

• Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Education and Women
• Josh Butler, Political Editor for The New Daily

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In the final parliamentary sitting fortnight of the year, things got a little bit messy. A whole bunch of MPs and Senators voted against their OWN parties, which is kind of a big deal. Sarah and Amanda take you through why, it has something to do with vaccine mandates and an anti-corruption watchdog. We also take you through exactly what is in the religious discrimination bill that was released publicly this week.

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In the final Parliamentary sitting fortnight of the year, the government will debate its religious discrimination bill. But the complex issue is dividing communities. We ask how the bill came about in the first place and why it’s necessary? We also look at the government’s investment in new technologies including mysterious quantum computers. Sarah and Amanda explore how cutting edge tech could change your everyday life.

Guests: 

- Fr Frank Brennan, Jesuit Priest and ACU Law Professor

- Fergus Hanson, Director of ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre

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The Prime Minister has been on a whirlwind trip around Victoria, spruiking the government’s climate change credentials. He announced millions for increasing electric car sales, but it work? There are also increasing numbers of children catching Covid-19, but while it might not be too dangerous for them, it has big implications for vulnerable people around them.

Guests: 

Tony Weber, CEO of Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam, Infectious Diseases Expert at Monash University

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The super important COP26 Climate Summit talks have been overshadowed by a spat between France and Australia over the dumped submarine deal. We take you through exactly what happened and why it’s all such a big deal. Plus what was actually agreed to at CPO26? Have we saved the world from climate change? Maybe, maybe not – find out on the show!

Guests: 

• Stela Todorovic, Channel Ten Political Reporter 
• Pastor Ray Minniecon, Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation Australia

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