Michelle Grattan and Melissa Clarke on the political year so far – podcast
Guardian AU
•Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:00:07 GMT
📰 What Happened
Guardian Australia's 'Full Story' podcast published a mid-year political review episode featuring veteran political commentators Michelle Grattan (The Conversation) and Melissa Clarke (ABC Radio National), hosted by political editor Tom McIlroy. The discussion covers the surprising developments of the 2026 political year so far: Labor's passage of negative gearing and capital gains tax reforms it had previously ruled out, the Liberal Party's leadership change that installed Angus Taylor, and One Nation's surge in polling. The panel offers a report card on the year to date and identifies key contests to watch in the second half.
🔍 The Backstory
2026 has been a tumultuous year in Australian federal politics. Labor under Anthony Albanese broke a major election promise by pursuing negative gearing and capital gains tax reform, striking a deal with the Greens. The Liberal Party, after losing the 2025 election, changed leaders again — installing Angus Taylor — but continues to struggle as One Nation rises in the polls. The podcast episode also references ongoing stories about the MP complaint system, Labor's gambling crackdown, and One Nation's direct campaigning to Christian voters.
🎯 Why It Matters
This comprehensive mid-year review from three of Australia's most respected political journalists provides essential context for understanding the shifting dynamics of Australian politics, particularly Labor's policy pivots and the conservative vote fragmentation as One Nation challenges the Coalition.
Guardian Australia's 'Full Story' podcast published a mid-year political review episode featuring veteran political commentators Michelle Grattan (The Conversation) and Melissa Clarke (ABC Radio National), hosted by political editor Tom McIlroy. The discussion covers the surprising developments of the 2026 political year so far: Labor's passage of negative gearing and capital gains tax reforms it had previously ruled out, the Liberal Party's leadership change that installed Angus Taylor, and One Nation's surge in polling. The panel offers a report card on the year to date and identifies key contests to watch in the second half.
2026 has been a tumultuous year in Australian federal politics. Labor under Anthony Albanese broke a major election promise by pursuing negative gearing and capital gains tax reform, striking a deal with the Greens. The Liberal Party, after losing the 2025 election, changed leaders again — installing Angus Taylor — but continues to struggle as One Nation rises in the polls. The podcast episode also references ongoing stories about the MP complaint system, Labor's gambling crackdown, and One Nation's direct campaigning to Christian voters.
This comprehensive mid-year review from three of Australia's most respected political journalists provides essential context for understanding the shifting dynamics of Australian politics, particularly Labor's policy pivots and the conservative vote fragmentation as One Nation challenges the Coalition.