They are the person behind the politician. The one to help them think, devise strategy and run their office: The Chief of Staff. Adam Peacock is joined by former Chief of Staff to state premiers and Prime Ministers, Clive Mathieson to discuss the huge impact this role has on how a politician performs. 

 

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We hear plenty about the main show in Canberra and state politics, but what does local government mean in the Australian political landscape? Deputy Lord Mayor of City of Sydney, Jess Scully joins Adam Peacock to chat about the importance of local government, how it perhaps affects us more than state or federal politics and the tricky nature of being neighbours with the people that did or didn't vote you in. 

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The superpower base seems to be shifting and our northern neighbour China is becoming increasingly influential. Adam Peacock chats to former ambassador to China Geoff Raby to discuss to rise of China, from the delicate political balance to how the relationship touches our day to day existence.

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We hear a lot about it, but what actually is government debt? Adam Peacock sits down with acclaimed journalist Shane Wright to find out what happens when Australia’s balance sheet is in the red and how much it affects our daily lives.

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What do the state governments mean in the grand scheme of Australian politics? Host Adam Peacock sits down with former Premier of Western Australia, Geoff Gallop to find out the role of state governments in the Australian political system, how the balance between state and federal works and what the pandemic has exposed.

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Who has the final say in the big decisions that govern Australia? Host Adam Peacock speaks to former Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, about the role of the Governor General, the scope of their power, and how much it actually effects the way our country functions.

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Do politicians trust each other and can we trust them? Host Adam Peacock asks former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull why trust in politics and politicians is such a problem.

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How do personal relationships among politicians influence political progress? Host Adam Peacock speaks to Ed Husic, Labour Member of the House of Representatives, on how politicians navigate relationships with those they fundamentally disagree with, and how they manage friendships for the sake of political agenda.

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What is lobbying and is it necessary for a democracy? Host Adam Peacock speaks to Danielle Wood, Program Director of Budget Policy and Institutional Reform at the Grattan Institute, about the role of lobbying in Australian politics and whether lobbyists have an influence on political agenda.

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What happens to our hard-earned tax dollars after they go to the government? Host Adam Peacock sits down with Stuart Ayres, a senior minister in the NSW state Liberal government, to find out what the government spends our money on, and how exactly these decisions are made.

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