Share

The Frontbench
Jim's spending addiction, rate rises, and Pauline at the pub
The Frontbench exposes what's really happening behind closed doors at Parliament House. Join Political Editor Peter van Onselen and Reporter Nicholas Comino each Tuesday as they tell you who's winning, who's losing, the drama behind the scenes and how the big decisions in Canberra affect you. In this week's episode, Peter and Nicholas kick off with a critique of the government's spin on the latest budget deficit figures and the ongoing impact of interest rate rises on the cost of living. They debate the growing threat of AI in relation to national security, balancing the risks of cyber attacks against the urgency of the global 'AI arms race'. Finally, they delve into the continued surge of One Nation's popularity, particularly in regional areas, where Peter reveals what it was like interviewing and following Pauline Hanson for a day.
More episodes
View all episodes

4. How PM messes with Jim Chalmers' head, Anika Wells' new firestorm and David Pocock the all-powerful
34:36||Season 1, Ep. 4The Frontbench exposes what's really happening behind closed doors at Parliament House. Join Political Editor Peter van Onselen and Reporter Nicholas Comino each Tuesday as they tell you who's winning, who's losing, the drama behind the scenes and how the big decisions in Canberra affect you.In this episode Peter and Nicholas discuss the shifting dynamics in Australian politics, focusing on One Nation's strategic posturing in recent polls and Pauline Hanson's hypothetical offer of supply to the Coalition. The pair also delve into the rumours of Josh Frydenberg's political comeback in Kooyong, and preview the upcoming parliamentary session, highlighting the internal Labor struggles surrounding Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
3. PVO's Greens leader confession, Australia's 'Mamdani' and Trump meme moment
29:37||Season 1, Ep. 3The Frontbench exposes what's really happening behind closed doors at Parliament House. Join Political Editor Peter van Onselen and Reporter Nicholas Comino each Tuesday as they tell you who's winning, who's losing, the drama behind the scenes and how the big decisions in Canberra affect you.In this episode Peter and Nicholas analyse the Coalition’s proposed cuts to immigration and the shifting public sentiment on mass migration. They also examine The Greens appointing David Shoebridge as the new leader, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's soft power diplomacy at the Pre-COP31 summit, and the Reserve Bank of Australia's recent interest rate hike, including Michelle Bullock’s pointed remarks on government spending and stagnant productivity.
1. Dire polls, One Nation 'Lite' and all eyes on Albo and Kylie at the AFL GF
30:17||Season 1, Ep. 1The Frontbench exposes what's really happening behind closed doors at Parliament House. Join Political Editor Peter van Onselen and Reporter Nicholas Comino each Tuesday as they tell you who's winning, who's losing, the drama behind the scenes and how the big decisions in Canberra affect you.In this premiere episode, Peter and Nicholas dive into the current state of Australian politics by analysing Anthony Albanese's shifting leadership style, the coalition's struggles against the rising popularity of Pauline Hanson's One Nation, and the implications of the latest Newspoll figures showing a mass departure from major parties. The duo also discusses the Prime Minister's controversial overseas trip amidst domestic pressures and unpacks Jim Chalmers' recent intergenerational report.
Coming soon...
00:51|The Daily Mail’s political podcast, The Frontbench, exposes what's really happening behind closed doors at Parliament House. Join Political Editor Peter van Onselen and Reporter Nicholas Comino each Tuesday as they tell you who's winning, who's losing, the drama behind the scenes and how the big decisions in Canberra affect you.