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? 

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?

Episode 143: Anticipating The Agenda

Episode 142: No Simple Solution

It’s a new year, everyone’s refreshed and raring to go, and The Professor and The Hack are no exceptions.

So, what can we expect this year? Is it true that ‘inflation’s back because Labor’s back’? Can we look forward to a time when interest rates stop rising or are we headed for a recession? And is it the year of the rat, rabbit or Rabbitoh?

Episode 141: In With The New

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!!

Episode 140: A Christmas Cracker!

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.

Episode 138: Ask No Questions …

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.

Episode 137: Too Tired To (Vote For The) Party?

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?

Episode 136: G20/20 Vision

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.

Episode 135: A Window On The World

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.

Episode 134: The Dragon That Must Be Slayed

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?

Episode 133: The Budget Special

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.

Episode 132: Shooting The Pre-Budget Breeze

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.

Episode 131: Once More Unto The Breach

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.

Episode 130: The World Mourns

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?

Episode 129:  Up, Up And Away

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.

Episode 124: Take Your Seats Please

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?

Episode 123: Looking Ahead

Australia has voted, and after nearly 10 years Labor takes the top seat.

The Professor and The Hack deep dive into the highs and lows of the election, and take a look at what lies ahead for Australia's 31st Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government.

Episode 122: Australia Has Decided

Two days to the election and the polls are indicating a close race.

As our starters inch towards the finish line, the Professor and the Hack discuss the absence of Labor’s costings, whether Albanese will finish building his gaff-proof fence, and why numbers suddenly have Hugh all confused.

And the Professor shares his predictions.

You can catch Hugh and Peter on Channel 10’s live election coverage from 5pm on Saturday.

Episode 121: Prediction Time!

With less than a week to go, the Professor and the Hack delve into the new signature policy around super and housing for first-home buyers, and whether the promise of a Scott Morrison 2.0 is possibly too little too late.

And exactly what can we expect in this last week of campaigning?

Episode 120: The End Is In Sight

With nine days to go, all the major parties are campaigning hard. But is it all falling on deaf ears?

This week’s must-hear topics include the latest leaders’ debate, the YouGov poll and whether Albanese is an economic destroyer or a leader in waiting.

And PVO gets his hands on some leaked and rather interesting information about the current state of the polls in New South Wales.

Episode 119: Run To The Line

With two weeks to go, the election campaign is nearly over, but is the reality actually that we are over the campaign?

As we stumble towards the finishing line in this multi-horse race, The Professor and The Hack also look at this week’s interest rate rise, and Peter has some great ideas for livening up the upcoming leaders’ debates.

Episode 118: Disillusionment And Disinterest Abound

Suddenly we’re almost halfway through the election campaign and, it seems, at a crossroads in political history.

Albanese’s in iso as competency ratings for both leaders hit their lowest levels in almost 30 years, and the Pre-Election Fiscal Update makes for some interesting reading.

Episode 117: Waiting For The Rubber To Hit The Road

The rains have stopped, the scare campaigns have started and PVO is in Brisbane for the leaders’ debate.

As well as what’s happening in Australia, The Professor and The Hack turn their attention to the deal between the Solomon Islands and China.

Episode 116: Scare Tactics

With the East Coast of Australia under a blanket of rain yet again, Hugh and PVO discuss whether the weather is making those first tentative steps along the campaign trail a bit muddy.

And as the dishes of election temptation start to be laid out on the table, they pull up a chair and take a look at the battle that's ahead for the marginal seats.

Episode 115: Food For Thought

The Professor and the Hack are back!

And there’s so much to discuss.

From a deep dive into this week’s budget to whether there will be a potential swan dive in the upcoming election, no stone is left unturned. Or untalked about.

Episode 114: Back with a vengeance and a budget bonanza

In which Hugh crunches some numbers, the electoral pendulum gets a swing, and Hugh and PVO work out their differences about Grace Tame.

Episode 113: Swings And Roundabouts

Happy New Year from the Professor and the Hack!

And what a start to 2022 it has been. 

What with the covid catastrophe, the Djokovic disaster, and rumblings of a republic, there’s a lot to get through.

Episode 112: For These Are Testing Times

We’re getting closer to the end of the year, so Hugh and Peter don their Christmas hats and indulge in some more election speculation, while lamenting the decidedly unfestive lack of wit in politics these days.

Episode 111: Deck The Great Hall

It’s the last sitting week of Parliament for the year, and there’s a lot to talk about.

Join Hugh and PVO as they delve into the politics of a virus, Kate Jenkins’ Set The Standard report, defamation and China’s new military exercise off the coast of Taiwan.

Episode 110: What the Omicron Is Going On?

As Parliament enters its last sitting period for the year, the Professor and the Hack dissect Scott Morrison’s handling of the most recent protests, and muse about where the upcoming election could be won or lost.

Episode 109: Words Matter

Trust issues, trickery and texts all come under the microscope this week, as Hugh and PVO tackle all the important issues including why it’s never good to lie.

Episode 108: Hold The Phone

This week, it's all climate talk and election speculation.

From Glasgow to Canberra, join us.

Episode 107: Net Zero

PVO and Hugh discuss the return to normal for our locked-down nation, an impending federal election and, of course, the goings on in state politics.

Get your hit of the new normal on episode 106.

Episode 106: Normal Or Something Close To It

This episode traverses from the streets of Melbourne to future battles fought under sea and of course to Australian Parliament.

Protests, submarines and China.

Get your high vis on and be ready to down periscope.

Episode 105: Le Grand Sulk

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, and of course to Scott Morrison.

The economy is bouncing back, what's going on with singles bubbles, and the most surprising of all - PVO got a prediction right! 

In the latter part of the episode PVO mentions a drug used in the treatment of Covid. If you didn't get the spelling, it's Tocilizumab.

Episode 104: Public Policy 101

Hugh and PVO are back chatting about the handling of issues both domestic and international.

Also included, a look at the opposition's chances in an upcoming election.

Episode 103: A Wicked Problem

The PM has shown his workings when it comes to the phases of his roadmap, but does it all add up practically?

And where does this leave his plans on when to call the next election?

Episode 102: The Way Things Are

PVO tries to retire his 'kiss of death' this week before he and Hugh look again at the vaccine rollout and assess how fair it is for Scomo to be shouldering so much blame.

Also up for discussion are the looming spectre of recession, farewell to Speaker Tony Smith, and what is the new normal that the world is going to be happy with?

Episode 101: Expectation Management

Here we are at the 100th episode!

Hugh and PVO raise their bats before turning again to matters at hand: the vaccine rollout, Sydney in lockdown, hard borders, and the compliance blitz aimed at one part of the city but not others.

Then they field some questions from listeners, mostly seeming to be seeking some reassurance about what the future looks like.

The Professor and the Hack has been produced and edited across these 100 episodes by Monty Leadon and Stuart Buckland.

Thanks to Ross Dagan, Anthony Murdoch and the 10 News First team for their support, and of course to Hugh and PVO who have dedicated a lot of time and effort to making sure the podcast made it to such a big milestone.

Episode 100: Living With The Virus

It's an all-Barnaby, all-Nationals affair today on The Professor and The Hack.

How will the party look going forward? And what does this mean for religious freedoms?

Episode 99: The Killing Season

Hugh and PVO are talking McCormack, jobs, and Ben Roberts-Smith.

With everything going on in Australia right now, what better way to keep up to date than with The Prof and The Hack.

Episode 98: Acting PM

This time the Prof and the Hack are talking vaccines, lockdowns, and economic growth.

Episode 96: Bad Weather Bias

With Victoria heading back into lockdown, this episode is all about the vaccine rollout and all things Covid, with a little bit of Clive Palmer.

Episode 95: Tragic Irony

Hugh knows Albo can dance! Find out more about this, unemployment, vaccines and the troubles in the Middle East in this episode.

Episode 94: Shake The Mess Around

How did the budget play out for women?

Are there possible issues with Labor leadership?

And does Josh Frydenberg have a future?

Episode 93: A Budget Week Special

Are we going to fine Australian citizens who return from India? Really?

PVO and Hugh talk returning citizens, more budget, and George Christensen.

Episode 92: Get Stuffed Sentiment

PVO and Hugh are back from holidays and ready to discuss all that's going on in the world of Australian politics.

From the budget to our relations with China, there's a lot to break down. 

 

Episode 91: Taiwan Looms

On a very special episode of The Professor and The Hack, Hugh sits down with former Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

Episode 90: The Ex-PM And The Hack

With the rain finally subsiding on the east coast of Australia, PVO and Hugh tackle the latest issues surrounding parliament.

Episode 89: Floods and Scandal

The March 4 Justice saw a distinct message being sent to the nation and to parliament.

Will it fall on deaf ears or will it be the catalyst for real change? PVO joins Hugh to discuss.

Episode 88: Catalyst For Change?

Hugh speaks to Australian of The Year Grace Tame about the current mood sweeping the country, and speaking out against sexual assault. 

If this episode has raised any issues, please reach out to counselling services like Lifeline on 13 11 14.

More support services can be found here: https://au.reachout.com/articles/sexual-assault-support

Episode 87: The AOTY and The Hack

Another sizzling week in Australian politics.

Craig Kelly, Facebook, the dole, and of course the man of titanium, Scomo all come under the microscope.

Episode 86: Do You Never Rest?

On this week's episode, PVO and Hugh discuss the unfolding story at parliament house, vaccines, and the Crown casino dramas.

If you're lucky there might be another small PVO prediction as well. 

 

Episode 85: Stunned Silence

Finally, someone's having the debate we had to have.

Today Hugh and PVO discuss Craig Kelly, the opposition, and of course PVO is making bold predictions again.

Episode 84: The Debate We Had To Have

With parliament resuming, so are The Professor and The Hack.

Net zero emissions, policy matters, and who's talking about a carbon tax?

Episode 83: Back On Board

The 46th President of the United States has been inaugurated.

Our regular Prof Peter Van Onselen is still away, so Hugh Riminton is joined again by Professor Simon Jackman, the CEO of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, to discuss the ceremony, Biden's first days in office, the question of how serious the incoming President will take his promises of action on climate change, and what now for Trump?

Episode 82: A Cry For Survival

We're back!

Well not all of us. PVO is away on personal detail leaving us to employ the services of a stand in Prof.

Hugh chats with the CEO of the United States Studies Centre, Professor Simon Jackman.

With so much going on in the US at the moment, the topics came thick and fast - from the 25th amendment to the ramifications of impeachment.

Episode 81: We Should Have Seen It Coming

And here we are, What a year it's been! The Professor and the Hack look back at this unforgettable 12 months, and take a look forward to a hopefully better 2021.

Happy holidays and a happy new year from all of us here at The Professor and The Hack.

Episode 80: Year In Review

Hugh's time in quarantine is coming to an end, so it's back onto local politics.

Up for discussion are Super, our relationship with China, and just how much of a regular bloke our PM is.

Episode 78: We're All In This Together

Hugh's back from The US, but stuck in hotel quarantine. He tells us what it's really like to be in that environment.

Then he and PVO wrap up the American election, get stuck into Robodebt, and talk about unprofessional relationships.

Episode 77: Deep Isolation

Well what more can we say, this episode is all about the events surrounding the election of America's 46th president.

Episode 76: A New President

Hugh calls in from America once again as we edge ever closer to election day.

Moving away from the US, Hugh and PVO also discuss the state of the Australian economy.

Episode 75: An Unusual Four Years

Hugh's still in the US and phones in with more tales of election madness and heavily-armed patriots.

PVO brings up local politics and the ongoing soap opera starring Gladys.

Episode 74: Armed To The Teeth

On a very special episode of The Professor and The Hack, Hugh phones in from Washington DC where he's covering the US presidential election.

PVO and Hugh discuss all things Trump, polling, and the state of democracy.

Don't stress all you #AUSPOL fans, they also turn their attention to Gladys, the fallout from the budget, and the continuing dramas in Australian politics.

Episode 73: Mr Riminton Goes to Washington

Hugh and PVO call in from different parts of the country to discuss their reactions to the Federal Budget.

Is Australian on the path to economic recovery?

Episode 72: Budget Wrap Up

Is new coal done? Is gas really the way?

Hugh and PVO delve into the environmental and economic effects of the energy plan, as well as taking a look at the looming budget. 

 

Episode 71: It's a Gas Gas Gas!

PVO and Hugh talk vaccines and our "it's complicated" relationship with China.

Episode 69: The Gold Standard

PVO and Hugh cover a wide range of topics, from global warming and the Australian government, to the American election.

Episode 68: It's Spring!

It's an aged care extravaganza! From royal commissions to Covid19's impact, it's all aged care all the time. 


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Episode 67: Armed Neutrality

Today's topics include: Royal commissions, Harry S Truman, and some economic hypotheticals. 


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Episode 66: Sand in the Cogs

Hugh and PVO discuss a "quantum of debt", some bleak milestones, and aged care. Meanwhile, someone might be stealing PVO's car. 


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Episode 65: Kicking a Fiscal Can

PVO and Hugh are talking state of the virus, health workers, second waves, and "Ideological partisan gumph" Apparently they still need each other, they still feed each other it's episode 64! 


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Episode 64: A Cliff or a Steady Downward Spiral?

On the menu today: state borders, paid pandemic leave, the American election and... Hugh's got covid?

Episode 63: Partisan by Nature

The Professor and the Hack are back from their respective breaks and raring to go!

In today's discussion; The long-term and short-term economic impacts of COVID, the future of underemployment, and... Ken Sutcliffe?

Episode 62: Back Once Again

in today's episode of Professor and The Hack, up for discussion are the future of universities, unemployment, and factions.

Plus The PM vs The Speaker!

Episode 60: Higher Education

In this episode, the Professor and the Hack talk branch stacking, the economy, the crisis after the crisis, and PVO makes another election prediction.

Episode 59: The Hack And The Branch Stacker

Hugh and PVO talk childcare, job seeker, job keeper, and our general political future.

Episode 58: There's No Place Like Childcare

What do the new homebuyers' grant and Australia-US foreign relations have in common? Not much, but they're both discussed on today's podcast.

Episode 57: The Good Old Days

Hugh and PVO focus on the current state of affairs in the United States and, closer to home, discuss the Robodebt scandal.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up any issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Episode 56: America Burns

PVO and Hugh ask the question, are we returning to normalcy too quickly?

They discuss the creeping loss of the fourth estate, Trump vs social media and, of course, The Frog and The Scorpion.

Episode 55: The Frog and The Scorpion

Guess who found $60 billion just lying around?!

Plus PVO and Hugh tackle the voting future, and cast their eyes to Hong Kong.

Episode 54: 60 Billion Dollars!

PVO and Hugh discuss the expected impacts on the economy, and our current relations with China. 

 

Episode 53: We're Getting Old

Elections, state border controls, China, and one "Deadset flat out bloody lunatic".

We've got it all in this episode of the Professor and the Hack.

Episode 52: Coming Out the Other Side

On today's list of topics: the budget, Chinese relations, the US election, and sports rorts are back.

 

Episode 51: Back in Black

Hugh and PVO had planned to celebrate the 50th episode milestone by not talking about Covid, however that proves to be impossible.

Other hot topics include: returning to school, the byelections, New Zealand becoming an Australian state, and sewerage.

Episode 50: Still No Albo

On today's agenda: Opening up the country, opening up the schools, and opening up the new Covid19 app.

Episode 49: Anything Can Fall

It's a Professor and the Hack money episode. PVO and Hugh discuss Jobseeker, the banks, the property market, and reshaping the economy.

Also discussed is the mental toll of Covid19.

Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14

Episode  48: Where do They Get Off?

The Prof and the Hack discuss noisy neighbours, the trajectory of Covid19 in Australia, and Malcolm Turnbull's new book.

Episode 47: Are Things Getting Better?

PVO and Hugh are back after their Easter break, and straight into it. The main topic for discussion is, of course, the current state of leadership in this time of coronavirus.

As they always say: "Confession is good for the soul, but bad for the reputation".

Episode 46: Confession Is Good For The Soul

As we approach a different kind of Easter weekend than those we are used to, The Prof and The Hack look at the latest economic measures the government has put in place, the danger of trying to go back to normal too quickly and how children are coping with this strange new reality.

Episode 45: Children and Corona

PVO and Hugh discuss the virus on the high seas, Scomo's feelings, plus Hugh puts on his foreign correspondent's hat.

Episode 43: Politicians Are Humans Too

Both Hugh and PVO embrace the working from home ethos and dial in to discuss all the current crisis goings on and to ask the question: Will the idealogical shifts the coalition has had to adopt in order for the country to get through this situation roll on into the future?

Episode 42: Inconvenienced Versus in Need

How much can a mindset change in seven days? Do we keep on being Australians?

The messaging is mixed as schools prepare for distance learning.

Hugh and Peter discuss the latest happenings in the current crisis.

Episode 41: Straddling Two High Wires

Hugh has got his results back, but remains in isolation.

He dials in to chat to Peter Van Onselen about the latest coronavirus news, the new stimulus measures, the debunking of herd immunity, Tasmania sealing itself off, and much more.

Episode 40: Escape Hatch

The global pandemic hits close to home, with Hugh in isolation.

Episode 39: COVID-19

Looks like the economy has caught the coronavirus.

What does this mean for the future, and the potential re-election of the current government? Hugh and PVO discuss.

Episode 38: No Crisis Without Opportunity

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself....and the coronavirus and its effect on the economy.

Episode 37: Coming Uncertainty

Hugh Riminton and Peter Van Onselen examine the reaction to Labor's announcement of its Zero Net Emissions by 2050 policy, talk a little bit more about the extent of the sports rorts affair, and ask the question - is there a bubble forming?

We believe in merit!

Episode 36: Mangled At First Sight

Peter Van Onselen and Hugh Riminton look at the National Party crisis, Labor's inconsistency on coal, the effect of the coronavirus situation on the Australian economy, and to try to keep the caravan from moving on, another look at the sports rorts.

Episode 35: Political Terrorists

The fallout from the sports rorts and the Green's leadership are what's on the menu at today's barbecue with PVO and Hugh Riminton

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