The Issue

A former public servant is blowing the whistle on the federal government’s handling of data.

Samuel Spencer says it is not good enough that Commonwealth Departments are using Microsoft Excel to administer $1.2 trillion budget documents, COMCAR bookings, and data collection for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The CEO of Aristotle Metadata, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra, joins The Issue podcast this week to discuss the recent OpenAI hack of a Medicare statistics portal, planned Australian AI standards and even has advice for ordinary Aussies on their use of AI.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this candid interview with The Issue Podcast, Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam opens up about his upcoming exit from federal parliament, sharing how the intense demands of political life impact families. As Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, he sets out his migration vision - protecting essential labour for farmers and hospitality businesses - while outlining cuts to the foreign student intake. Duniam also tackles high-stakes Coalition politics, addressing the threat Pauline Hanson’s One Nation poses to Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and his thoughts on whether Andrew Hastie has what it takes to be a future Prime Minister. He reveals his one big regret about toppling Sussan Ley. And is this really it for his political career? Or will the Tasmanian one day run for Premier of his beloved state?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man who has worn many hats in Canberra, Kim Beazley, joins The Issue this week to discuss fraught US relations, security threats, and the great change in Australian politics.

Beazley discusses how significant AUKUS is, and if politics is still a "good career".

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of The Issue, we get a special look inside the giant project notorious for delays and cost blowouts, but is critical to Australia's electricity plans.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes sits down in a candid interview to reveal what's gone wrong with Snowy 2.0 and what might still go wrong. And most importantly, when will the billion-dollar project finally deliver the country some power?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strait of Hormuz remains choked by war six months on.

What does this mean for inflation and interest rates in Australia? Did we ever move past the risk of fuel shortages?

Senior energy analyst Saul Kavonic joins The Issue this week to discuss our country's vulnerable fuel supply and how we can maintain competitive leverage during geopolitical conflict.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is AI about to accelerate cybercrime? How do we stop it? How exposed are we?

Australia's number one expert on all things cyber security, Alastair MacGibbon sits down with The Issue to discuss the growing threats in our country. MacGibbon also speaks about the most vulnerable group of Aussies and how we can and should protect them.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the AI revolution ramps up in Australia, AI Professor Toby Walsh is optimistic but cautious.

In this week's episode of The Issue, Toby Walsh discusses the rapidly growing number of data centres in Australia and our need to use new renewable energy. He also speaks on worrying AI surveillance tech and the facilitation of crime by Silicon Valley.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would you ask Anthony Albanese if you had the chance?

Mortgage broker Joseph Daoud dropped $16.5k at a charity auction - not for himself, but to give three everyday Australians a front-row seat to his tennis match with Anthony Albanese at The Lodge.

Want in? Tell Joe in 25 words or less what question you'd ask Albo at https://www.stoptheambitiontax.com/tennis

On this week's episode of The Issue:

📈 Where property prices and soaring rents are headed next (and what buyers should do right now) 💬 The 35-year-old entrepreneur reveals what he plans to tell the PM—and why government transparency is at the top of his agenda.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defence recently confirmed a plague of unidentified flights above RAAF bases. Industry insiders tell us drones are now a critical danger for us all.

In this week's episode of The Issue, CEOs Ben Westgarth, Justin Olde, and aviation academic Oleksandra Molloy discuss the drone threat in wars and Aussie skies.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All three of the major parties in Australia are now pushing to lower Australia’s migration rate.  

Pauline Hanson and One Nation have shaken up the debate on population.  

But if we are going to cut immigration, how do we keep the country growing? 

Demographer Peter McDonald says he is “pro-child” and would support the government increasing access to the Family Tax Benefit.  

The Issue this week delves into the hottest argument in politics right now.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.