Australian politics, minus the spin. Neil Pharaoh and Erin Watson put the week's biggest political stories through the pub test - does it make sense, is it fair, and what does it really mean? New episodes weekly.
Hosts: Dr. Erin Watson and Neil Pharaoh
Producer: Keehlan Ferrari Brown
Latest Episodes
Episode 1: Bondi Royal Comission, NSW Election & The Venezuela Situation
Big events. Hard questions. No spin.
Bondi and a Royal Commission.
NSW politics on the long road to 2027.
Venezuela after the US operation that captured Nicolás Maduro — and why Australia should care.
Note: This episode was recorded before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was announced. We include an update after our initial recording.
Episode 2: Victoria Fires & Floods, Parliament Recall, Iran Explained (ft. Kylie Moore-Gilbert)
Big events. Hard questions. No spin.
Victoria’s fires and floods — and the politics of response.
Canberra recalls Parliament for gun reforms and hate laws after Bondi.
Iran, the blackout and what’s really happening — with Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert.
Episode 3: The Rise of Pauline Hanson, the Australia Day Debate & Ukraine at War.
Big events. Hard questions. No spin.
How the Liberals are helping Pauline Hanson rise.
Australia Day and whether there’s a way through the endless debate.
Ukraine at war and how global leadership is measuring up.
Episode 4: One Nation’s Surge, Mark Carney’s Warning & How Social Media Shapes Politics.
Big events. Hard questions. No spin.
What One Nation’s surge says about the state of Australian politics.
Mark Carney’s Davos speech: How can middle powers navigate the global rupture?
How social media is shaping Victorian Politics.
Episode 5: The 300k Housing Trap, WA’s Mining Identity & Israel’s New African Ally.
Big events. Hard questions. No spin.
Australian Housing Policy: Who broke the Australian Dream?
What Western Australia’s mining identity says about the rest of the country.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and what it means for the Horn of Africa.
Episode 6: Liberal Spill, Four-Year Terms & A Female Dictator in North Korea?
Big events. Hard questions. No spin.
What Sussan Ley’s departure and the Liberal spill mean for Farrer and the future of the Coalition.
Why a four-year federal term might be more achievable and less controversial than you think.
Could North Korea be preparing the world’s first female dictator and what would that really change?
With over 20 years’ experience across government, business, and the social sector, Neil specialises in turning complexity into clarity - whether through high-impact governance, public policy strategy, or stakeholder influence.
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Dr Erin Watson is a sought-after speaker, moderator and MC, renowned for her ability to distill complex global issues into sharp, compelling conversations that resonate across sectors and borders.
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