Best Australian Politics Podcasts to Follow in 2025

Podcasts have transformed how Australians stay informed about politics. These programs deliver thoughtful analysis, insider perspectives, and lively discussion about the issues shaping our democracy.

Tune in to hear the latest political commentary

Why political podcasts matter

Political podcasts have reshaped Australia's media landscape for several reasons:

• They offer in-depth analysis beyond soundbites
• The conversational format makes complex topics accessible
• Listeners can hear directly from experts, politicians, and journalists
• The on-demand nature fits busy modern lifestyles
• Long-form discussions allow for nuance often missing from other media

The intimacy of audio makes podcasts particularly effective for understanding the personalities and perspectives shaping Australian politics, creating a more engaged and informed electorate.

Daily political news podcasts

For those wanting regular updates on Australian politics, these daily shows offer concise briefings:

• 7am by Schwartz Media – Weekday deep dives into the day's most significant story, often political, featuring journalists from The Saturday Paper and The Monthly
• ABC News Daily – Fifteen-minute episodes each weekday covering the most important news, with frequent political focus
• The Briefing – Daily current affairs podcast that regularly features political stories and interviews with decision makers

These daily shows are perfect for commutes or morning routines, providing essential context for the day's political developments.

Weekly political analysis

1. ABC Insiders Podcast – Australia's flagship political TV program in audio form, featuring panel discussions with leading journalists and interviews with key politicians. Hosted by David Speers, it provides comprehensive weekend analysis of the political week.
2. The Party Room – ABC's political podcast where Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas offer expert insight into parliamentary politics, featuring interviews with politicians and analysis of policy developments.
3. Guardian Australian Politics – Katharine Murphy, Lenore Taylor and Guardian Australia's political team dissect the week's events with depth and context not found in daily reporting.
4. Press Gallery by The Conversation – Academic experts join journalists to provide evidence-based analysis of political events, focusing on substance over spectacle.
5. Democracy Sausage – ANU's Crawford School podcast featuring Professor Mark Kenny and guests discussing policy, polling data, and international comparisons.

Specialist political podcasts

These podcasts focus on specific aspects of Australian politics:

• The Policy Forum Pod – Focused on detailed policy analysis across areas like health, economics, environment, and social issues
• Politics with Michelle Grattan – In-depth interviews with politicians, policymakers and experts on current political issues
• The Money by ABC RN – Economic policy and its political dimensions, essential for understanding budget debates
• Backbencher – Stories from regional Australian politics often overlooked by metropolitan media
• The Full Story by Guardian Australia – Deep dives into major political stories with comprehensive reporting

These specialized shows help listeners develop deeper understanding of particular aspects of Australian politics that interest them most.

Across the political spectrum

Political podcasts reflect different ideological perspectives:

Progressive perspectives

• The Breakdown – Progressive analysis of Australian politics and policy
• Auspol Snackpod – Left-leaning commentary with a focus on social issues
• The Green Left Show – Environmental and social justice perspectives on current politics

Centrist and mainstream

• Democracy Sausage – Balanced analysis from various perspectives
• The Professor and The Hack – Political scientist and journalist discuss politics from complementary viewpoints
• The Middle – Explores political centrism and cross-partisan solutions

Conservative perspectives

• The Alan Jones Podcast – Right-wing commentary on political developments
• The Bolt Report – Conservative perspectives on Australian politics
• The IPA Podcast – Free market and conservative policy analysis

Many listeners find value in consuming podcasts from different perspectives to understand various viewpoints in Australian politics.

Election campaign podcasts

As the next federal election approaches, these podcasts will offer dedicated campaign coverage:

• Australia Votes – ABC's dedicated election podcast with on-the-ground reporting
• Poll Position – Deep analysis of polling trends and electoral strategies
• Campaign Trail – Following candidates and reporting from key marginal seats

Election-focused podcasts typically launch 2-3 months before polling day and provide concentrated analysis of the campaign trail, policy announcements, and polling trends.

For more on understanding elections, see our article on preferential voting and marginal seats.

More ways to listen

Most of these shows are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the ABC listen app. Many also publish transcripts on their websites if you prefer reading over audio.

Consider subscribing so episodes download automatically. That way you won't miss in-depth interviews with key political figures or breakdowns of the week's news.

Popular podcast apps for Australian political content include:

• ABC Listen – Home to many Australian political podcasts with user-friendly interface
• Spotify – Offers personalized recommendations based on listening habits
• Apple Podcasts – Well-organized with useful search features
• Google Podcasts – Integrated with Android devices and Google search
• Pocket Casts – Feature-rich independent platform popular with podcast enthusiasts

Why listen?

From breaking news to long-form interviews, podcasts give you context that can be hard to find in quick headlines. They're perfect for commutes, gym sessions or whenever you want to understand the stories behind the sound bites.

Political podcasts offer several advantages over traditional news media:

• In-depth exploration of topics in 30-60 minutes rather than brief news segments
• Personality and chemistry between hosts that builds listener connection
• Ability to hear tone and emphasis directly from political figures
• Accessibility during times when reading or watching isn't possible
• Community of engaged listeners who discuss episodes online

To understand how podcasts fit into the broader media landscape, check out our guide to Australian political news sources and how Reddit influences political discussion.

First published 14 June 2025. Availability of shows may change as new series launch. Last updated: 16 June 2025.