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It's February already, which means it's almost time for parliament to start sitting for the year. What can we expect to be on the agenda? As the saying goes, in this world nothing is certain except death and taxes. But what about death taxes? Hear Peter’s thoughts on that topic. And what is it about the current state of Medicare that has Hugh all a-fluster? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Hugh and Peter discuss Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Alice Springs and whether the immediate actions he imposed will be effective in what is a very complex situation. They also think about how The Voice is conflated with other issues before surmising the state of politics in New South Wales. And what are the pressure points of any potential Medicare reform?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In which The Professor and The Hack spread some Christmas cheer throughout the land! Hugh and Peter take a look back at the year that was 2022, taking in all the highs and lows, winners and losers, before turning their attention to what’s in store in 2023. This episode was also recorded as a video version, so if you want to find out whether PVO did in fact dress for the occasion you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/bGHaIajznQ4 Merry Christmas to all and see you in the new year!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well 2022 is drawing to a close, and there’s no doubt it’s been a pretty busy year in politics. Will the year end on a high for Anthony Albanese? Where will energy prices be in 2023? What are the key takeaways from the new Australian Election Study? And why will The Professor be donning a shirt next week? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may have been the last sitting week of parliament for the year, but it’s been a busy one. Dan Andrews has kept his seat in Victoria, the National Party has announced it will oppose the Voice referendum, and Scott Morrison and his secret ministries are in the spotlight once again as he becomes the first former prime minister to be censured in Australian political history. And as Anthony Albanese visits Gough’s Sydney home 50 years on, we look at the Whitlam legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria is headed to the polls this weekend, so what does the future look like for Dan Andrews? We’re seeing major party fatigue amongst voters so will Victorians stick with the devil they know? And with wages still way behind inflation and the banks forecasting interest rate rises to the end of this year and beyond, it’s looking like the dragon that needs to be slayed is still evading capture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh’s been in Bali for the G20 summit and dials in direct from his hotel room to fill us in. So much to talk about, including what the future of trade relations between Australia and China is likely to be on the back of Albanese’s meeting with Xi Jinping. Our prime minister has also formed bonds with a number of his international counterparts, including Narendra Modi and Emanuel Macron, but are we on the right path? Closer to home the industrial relations bill gets a bit of a going over. And of course we can’t let this episode go by without discussing Trump’s announcement that he will once again be running for the top job in the US. What's he got to lose? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a bit of an international flavour this week. As the results of the US midterms start to trickle in, The Professor and The Hack ponder the confidence trick that is Trump. And is Putin likely to put in an appearance at next week’s G20 summit? Closer to home we look at the end of the Albanese year, and what could be in store for the government in 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a quarter of Australian households currently worried about how they are going to pay their bills, is the treasurer right when he says it’s time to slay the inflation dragon? And will it actually happen? Further afield, the US is gearing up for next week's midterms, we take a look at the situation in China, and a super spook gives some sound advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Albanese government has just delivered its budget, the first for Labor in nearly 10 years, and there’s a lot to unpack. At a time when we’re experiencing the highest inflation rate in Australia since 1990, Hugh and Peter look at who the winners and losers were in this week's federal budget. What happens when economic theory becomes lived reality? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s nearly budget time, again. That’s two this year. It’s an unusual situation, but an exciting time for anyone who loves policy and economics, including PVO. So is the forecast gloomy or bright? The Professor and the Hack deep dive into the realities of what we can expect – and it’s a complex mix. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of Australians are this week coming to terms with their information being compromised in the Optus data breach. But what about the pollies having access to a lot of our personal information that’s stored in their database? It’s exempt from the Privacy Act, but is it safe? Also up for discussion this week are the Stage Three Tax cuts and whether the National Integrity Commission does have teeth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, The Professor and The Hack take a moment to reflect on times past and times to come. Hugh and Peter also discuss the Integrity Commission, and think about what we can expect from the upcoming economic statement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So much to talk about this week. The interest rate rises just keep on coming, with the fifth one in as many months just announced. Can you believe it’s been 30 years since superannuation was introduced? Paul Keating can, and has had something to say this week. And why are the Greens and Matt Canavan suddenly seeing eye to eye? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we move away from politics and talk about policy for a change. There’s a lot to unpack from this week’s jobs and skills summit, as news about an increased migration cap breaks mid-recording. Also up for discussion are the stage three tax cuts. And where was Peter Dutton? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With former prime minister Scott Morrison’s secret self-appointments dominating the news, our dynamic duo discusses whether more of Morrison really was the solution to the problem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we digest the impact of yet another interest rate rise, Hugh and PVO don’t even consider the fact that right now avocados are the cheapest they’ve ever been. Instead they look at the hot topics of the day, including the different forms cost of living relief could take, and the potential fallout of Peter Dutton going nuclear. And how well do you know your state premiers? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your favourite commentators are back after a well-earned break (or at least PVO is). They reflect on the aftermath of the election, and discuss the first week of parliament. And can we expect to see Scott Morrison on the evangelical speaking circuit any time soon? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Hugh and Peter take a look at the ministers gaining a seat on Labor’s new front bench. Who are the rising stars in this new political environment?  And as celebrations begin the world over for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, what better time to discuss the appointment of an Assistant Minister for the Republic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Professor and The Hack get down to some more unpacking of the election results and what we can expect as the political landscape starts to change. What does all this really mean for the next three years? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.