It's often said that if schoolchildren behaved the way politicians do in Question Time, they would be sent to the Principal's office. Does it have to be this way? Does the public benefit from the daily shouting match on the floor of the House? Or can something be done to improve it? Also, what does the result of the Victorian election tell us about the state of the Liberal Party? David Speers is joined by ABC Political Reporter Melissa Clarke and ABC PM host David Lipson to answer your questions. This is the last episode of Insiders - Back to You for 2022, but if you have questi ..read more

What can the election campaign in Victoria tell us about the state of Australian politics more generally? In the first state-wide poll since the federal election in May, a big question is whether the momentum built by minor parties and independents is continuing. And in a rematch between two major party leaders - Daniel (Dan) Andrews and Matthew (Matt) Guy, will the pandemic play a big role in deciding who will next form government in Spring Street? David Speers is joined by the host of ABC Radio Melbourne Drive and the Matters of State podcast Rafael Epstein, and ABC News Breakfast co-ho ..read more

After six years keeping Australia in the cold, Chinese President Xi Jinping met face-to-face with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the G20 summit, in a sign that relations may be warming. What does this mean for Australia's security and economy? And how can we better protect ourselves from data breaches, after two big ones in recent weeks? David Speers is joined by ABC Political Reporter Greg Jennett and ABC Radio Darwin Breakfast host Jo Laverty to answer your questions. If you have a question you'd like answered next week, send them to backtoyoupodcast@abc.net.au ..read more

The US mid-term election result spelled bad news for Donald Trump's ambitions for a return to the White House in 2024. But as he prepares to announce the beginning of his campaign, he's still the bookies' favourite to win the next US election. Would a return to Trumpism change the US-Australia relationship? David Speers is joined by ABC Political Reporter Jane Norman and ABC Radio Sydney, Newcastle and NSW Afternoons host Josh Szeps to answer your questions, and give VCE politics students some advice before their exams. If you have a question you'd like answered next week, send ..read more

In their Melbourne Cup Day meeting, the Reserve Bank board not only increased interest rates again, they also increased their estimate of where inflation will peak. So are their efforts to cool down the economy by raising the cost of debt working?  And is a new cable to Tasmania the solution to the mainland's energy woes? David Speers is joined by ABC Political Reporter James Glenday and AM host Sabra Lane to answer your questions. If you have a question you'd like answered next week, send them to backtoyoupodcast@abc.net.au ..read more

Every time there's a federal budget, news outlets publish a list of "winners and losers" - people who will benefit from the budget changes, and people who won't. Is that helpful? Or does it just make people become obsessed with "what's in it for me?" The Albanese government's first federal budget carried good news for families, students and people experiencing housing stress, but not much for people struggling with high energy bills. To answer your budget questions, David Speers is joined by ABC Political Editor Andrew Probyn and ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast host James Valentine. If you hav ..read more

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to hand down his first budget next week, and he's trying to keep expectations low. The national deficit is standing in the way of some of Labor's biggest election promises - but how much should we worry about deficit, anyway? ABC finance reporter Alan Kohler and ABC Radio Brisbane Mornings presenter Rebecca Levingston join David Speers to discuss budgets, bushmasters, and bikies. If you have a question you'd like answered next week, send them to backtoyoupodcast@abc.net.au ..read more

Debate is raging over whether it's reasonable to break election promises in the face of changing economic conditions.  Promises were made ahead of the election on energy prices and taxation which are now proving difficult to deliver as the global economy worsens. Do we focus too much on promise and not enough on the greater good? To answer your questions on the energy transition and tax cuts, David Speers is joined by ABC Political Reporter Matt Doran and ABC Radio Adelaide Mornings host David Bevan to answer your questions. If you have a question you'd like answered next w ..read more

Interest rates are rising rapidly, meaning mortgages - and by extension rents - are increasing.  But where is that extra money going? The banks? The government? To answer your questions about interest rates, the stage 3 tax cuts, 4 year parliamentary terms and more, David Speers is joined by PM Presenter David Lipson and ABC Far North Rural Reporter Charlie McKillop. If you have a question you'd like answered next week, send them to backtoyoupodcast@abc.net.au ..read more

We're finally getting a federal anti-corruption commission, but it looks like hearings will be held in private except under "exceptional circumstances". What does that mean? And why should politicians with nothing to hide be worried about their reputations being damaged in public hearings? Additionally, the National Cabinet has decided to end COVID isolation rules, two and a half years after they were implemented. Is it time to move on from the pandemic, or will it just make things worse? To answer your questions, David Speers is joined by ABC Political Reporter Melissa Clarke and ABC Rad ..read more