Past Programs
Government and Politics - 2007
Beazley retires
22/12/2007
Kim Beazley comes from strong Labor stock.
His father was a key figure in the Whitlam cabinet in the 1970s.
Kim junior himself held a number of ministries including defence and communications in the 80s and 90s, and was the Labor Party's leader through some of the Howard government years.
In this interview first broadcast in February, Kim Beazley discusses his impending retirement from politics.
Cheney visits Sydney
22/12/2007
The US vice-president's trip to Sydney in February was an opportunity for Australians to view close up the man some have regarded as one of the most powerful in the world.
In this interview Geraldine Doogue speaks to two senior US journalists about whether Dick Cheney still has the pull in the White House he once had.
Story originally broadcast in February 2007.
Don Watson
15/12/2007
Writer and commentator Don Watson reflects on the year that's been.
Howard legacy
08/12/2007
The political eulogies have been written but now the comprehensive analyses of the John Howard era are beginning.
The first published is by Professor Judith Brett, a long-time Liberal Party observer.
Queensland's Labor Leaders Read Transcript
01/12/2007
How can the 8.5% swing to Labor in Queensland be explained?
Bennelong Panel
24/11/2007
Since the election was announced Bennelong locals have been the target of furious campaigning by the major parties.
Over the last 6 weeks residents have been bombarded with mountains of political material and Saturday morning shoppers met by a phalanx of Labor and Liberal workers handing out flyers and balloons.
Two residents give their views on the campaign and the candidates.
Election Editorials
24/11/2007
The final election editorials - what are they saying?
Political panel
17/11/2007
One week out from the federal election what assessment can be made of the campaign?
Climate Change Conference Read Transcript
17/11/2007
The United Nations Climate Change Conference begins in early December.
The Bali conference will last 11 days as governments from around the globe try to negotiate a way forward on this critical problem.
So what can we expect of the Bali meeting?
The McCormicks
10/11/2007
This week the government enjoyed the best Newspoll result since November last year. It's an indication that perhaps the election result will be knife-edge.
So is anyone in the extended McCormick family rethinking their vote?
The McCormicks - across the political spectrum
27/10/2007
The extended McCormick family live in various places across NSW. They are a close-knit family, but separated slightly by both geography and their differing political views. There are eight siblings in this family and their voting patterns are varied -- some vote for the major parties and others for independents or the Greens.
Political donations
20/10/2007
Both the Labor and Liberal parties rely on donations from a range of individuals and organisations and there's a perception that these donations can come with strings attached.
But what's the proof that donors expect something for their dollar?
Aboriginal Reconciliation Read Transcript
13/10/2007
One of the key people who worked behind the scenes to bring about the Prime Minister's change of heart on Aboriginal reconciliation is Professor Marcia Langton from the University of Melbourne.
Professor Langton says John Howard's motivation is less important than the outcome.
China Congress
06/10/2007
One of the most important events in the Chinese political calender is only days away, involving the election of the nation's most powerful ruling figures.
The meeting of the National Party Congress happens every five years and it can be a hotbed of intrigue, power struggles and policy division.
Environment Panel Read Transcript
29/09/2007
Recently the price of carbon in NSW collapsed.
The dramatic fall in the carbon price has various flow-on effects.
For one sustainability company, Easy Being Green, it has meant laying off over a hundred employees and temporarily ending its business of installing energy saving devices in homes.
So what hurdles need to be overcome to make these schemes work?
Burma
29/09/2007
The situation in Burma is distressing.
As predicted the Burmese authorities have reacted violently to the mass protests.
Is there any hope that these demonstrations could lead to political reform?
Lebanon crisis Read Transcript
22/09/2007
On Wednesday a bomb blast in Beirut killed a pro-government MP, Antoine Ghanim.
Antoine Ghanim was the fourth MP to be assassinated since Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was murdered in March 2005.
It's not known who was responsible for this latest killing, but some Lebanese politicians were quick to blame Syria. Syria has denied any involvement.
This latest political assassination threatens to topple the Lebanese government.
An American Notebook
04/08/2007
All the polls suggest that US president George W. Bush faces a steep climb if he hopes to coax the country back to the Republican side before the 2008 election.
The President and his administration are a long way from the support they enjoyed in the early years of office.
Journalist Michael Gawenda charts why he believes Americans have become disillusioned with their government.
Victorian politics
28/07/2007
Steve Bracks took most of us by surprise when he resigned as premier of Victoria.
This was then followed by the equally unexpected resignation of Deputy Premier John Thwaites.
Are these resignations bad news for Labor?
Southern Thailand insurgency
16/06/2007
The insurgency in southern Thailand is rated as the third largest in the world.
With more deaths this week in the country's three Muslim dominated southern provinces, who is driving the violence and what are their aims?
Alon Hilu
09/06/2007
This week marked one of the more significant historical anniversaries...40 years since the Six Day War broke out in the Middle East...40 years since Israel's stunning victory which profoundly changed the politics and power of the region.
We talk to a young writer who tells us about life in contemporary Israel.
Putin's regime
09/06/2007
In the lead-up to the G8 summit Russian president Vladimir Putin threatened to train Russia's nuclear missiles on Europe. This was in protest against the US plan for an anti-ballistic missile system partly based in Poland and the Czech republic. It was the latest flare-up between the West and Russia.
But in Russia the president remains extremely popular. Unemployment is down, wages have increased, Russia's oil-rich economy is expanding and there is no viable alternative to Putin.
Benazir Bhutto Read Transcript
26/05/2007
Benazir Bhutto is an unusual and complex politician. She has been elected prime minister on two occasions and twice removed in the face of corruption allegations. The nation's President, General Musharraf, has recently reiterated that Ms Bhutto will not be able to enter Pakistan. Despite this Benazir Bhutto intends to return home and contest the next general election.
Doug Cameron Read Transcript
19/05/2007
Doug Cameron is set to enter the Senate after the next federal election and says he will take a strong stand on social justice and industrial issues.
The media has frequently dubbed him a union 'firebrand' and some suggest his views are outdated. How does he respond?
Jose Ramos-Horta
07/04/2007
On April 9th voters in East Timor will elect a new president. The front runner is Jose Ramos-Horta. Jose Ramos-Horta has spent more than thirty years campaigning for a democratic and independent East Timor. His presidential campaign is the latest development in a remarkable life and career.
Kashmir
10/03/2007
For over 50 years the disputed territory of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between Pakistan and India.
It has been the spur for three wars between the two countries and several militant training camps are based in Pakistani-held Kashmir.
To many it appears an intractable problem. But according to Raja Mohan, the strategic affairs editor of The Indian Express, Kashmir can be resolved and the international community should be more attentive to securing peace in Kashmir.
Peter Dowding on Brian Burke Read Transcript
03/03/2007
Peter Dowding succeeded Brian Burke as premier of WA in 1988 after WA Inc engulfed the Burke government. Peter Dowding was subsequently overturned amid much turmoil two years later by Carmen Lawrence.
She called the Royal Commission that ultimately led to Burke and other colleagues going to prison for various offences. So what does Peter Dowding make of the current turmoil surrounding the meeting of Brian Burke and the Federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd, and why does Brian Burke wield such power?
Ordinary People's Politics
27/01/2007
Where does politics sit in our everyday lives?
Judith Brett, professor of politics at La Trobe University, and her university colleague Anthony Moran, found out when they interviewed 22 people in considerable depth for their work, which they've called Ordinary People's Politics. (Originally broadcast 16 September 2006)
