Keep the Bastards Honest

Seasons Greetings 2025

At this point in the year, just past the solstice – a turning point recognised across cultures – we are reminded that light does endure, and that seasons do change. It is a time for reflection: on…

40. An election result for the ages

Well… no one was expecting that result, not even the Labor Party. Join Elana, Steve and a rehabilitated former Liberal as they consider the immediate aftermath of the election, while they wait for…

39. The education election

Education is possibly the third pillar of the cost of living crisis, in that it impacts young people and their families at almost every stage of life before the age of 30.  Elana going to take you…

38. The health election

Picking up from our last episode, Elana will take you through what is essentially the other half of the cost of living crisis - health, and access to healthcare.  The growing inequality in Australia…

37. The cost of living election

The first in a series of episodes where Elana takes listeners through the logical groupings of 30+ Australian Democrats policy platforms. This episode covers the cost of living crisis – cost of…

36. The election budget we had to have

Elana is back, and is joined by co-host Steve Baty and Victorian Senate candidate Heath McKenzie to review the 2025 budget, in the wake of the 2025 federal election finally being called. Thanks to…

35. The state of... everything

After an accidental hiatus, Elana is back to discuss her very excellent, totally accurate, very good prediction about the US election. Oh wait, we’re getting an update… Show notes: The very…

Seasons Greetings 2024

Wishing all of our listeners are safe and happy holiday season, and a merry Christmas for those who celebrate. Show Notes The Australian Democrats’ submission to the Senate inquiry into the Online…

34. The State of the Union

Elana conducts a wellness check on the United States. At the time of publishing this episode the US election is a week away, and to say that it’s one of the most consequential elections the world has…

Bonus: Census 2026

The Prime Ministerial captain’s call on the 2026 census and the multiple excuses and backlfips required to ensure that the government ended up in almost the same position as they were in prior to…

33. Nuclear Fantasies

In June Peter Dutton finally unveiled the Coalition’s widely spruiked and much anticipated policy on nuclear energy for Australia. But is it a feasible solution to Australia’s energy woes, or is it…

Bonus: Robodebt Officers off the Hook

Elana is back with an article she wrote in response to the recent decision by the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) not to open an investigation into the referrals made to it by the Robodebt…

32. Budget 2024: No Bravery

Rejoice budget nerds, it’s that time of year again! An episode in which Elana is cranky about what not’s in the budget, Leonie is in search of a narrative for the budget, Steve does a better job of…

31. Post Dunkley By Election Debrief

It took a little while for Heath, Leonie and the rest of the campaign team to crawl out from under all the life admin that piled up while they were contesting the Dunkley by election, but Elana…

The Drill: Nuclear SMRs

Are you wondering just what a small modular nuclear reactor is, and why we’re having a ‘debate’ on nuclear power? Dr Grahame Elder has you covered. He’s done the research so you don’t have to. In…

30. Dunkley by election - meet our candidate!

The by election in the Victorian electorate of Dunkley was triggered by the very sad passing of Labor MP Peta Murphy in December of 2023.  We pay our respects to Peta, and extend our condolences to…

29. The year that was 2023

Elana and Steve are back, with lots to catch up on as they look back at the year that was 2023, and look forward to the year that will be 2024. Show Notes Listen to Greg Jericho’s Dollars and Sense…

Seasons Greetings for 2023

Bonus: The Constitution and The Voice Explainer

One of the interesting stats that’s come out of the current referendum polling is that a surprisingly large number of Australians didn’t know that we even have a constitution, never mind what it is…

28. Jason Lambright: Who Are We to Judge Our Ancestors?

This is a story about colonisation, racism, and genocide.  It’s a story about erasure, not just of a culture, but of an entire people.  But it’s also a story of survival.  And it’s a story about…