Summary
The podcast addresses significant issues in Australian politics, focusing on the recent alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haynes, who remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle. The incident has sparked widespread horror and concern, with discussions highlighting Haynes' reputation as a dedicated and kind politician. The alleged attacker has been charged with serious offenses, and the investigation is ongoing, though the media response has been criticized for politicizing the tragedy.
In addition to this, the conversation shifts to the allegations against Senator Jordan Stilljohn, which have raised questions about sexual harassment within the Greens party. The hosts emphasize the importance of taking allegations seriously and ensuring a fair investigation process, while also acknowledging the party's past failures in handling such cases. The discussion underscores the need for a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment in political organizations.
The episode also introduces the Greens Institute's proposal for "Fair Go Grocers," a plan to create publicly owned supermarkets to combat rising grocery prices and challenge the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths. The initiative aims to provide significant discounts on essential goods and is framed as a necessary intervention in the current economic landscape. The hosts express optimism about the public's support for such measures, despite pushback from various political commentators and industry representatives.
Overall, the podcast blends urgent political discourse with innovative policy proposals, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities facing progressive movements in Australia.
Show Notes
Tom is joined by former federal MP and current boss of the Green Institute, Max Chandler-Mather! First the One Nation cartoon controversy, and the state of all that. Next, the shocking attack on Indi MP Helen Haines and the range of reactions. () Finally, the Green Institute has big plans for a public grocer and a new podcast called Praxis. Producer Michael Thegriff-Griffin worked on it. So it would be an act of Praxis to go subscribe now.
---------- Just released on Patreon - "Exit Interview with Kitty Carra, Director of Qld Greens" The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of ONE HUNDRED past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU ---------- Subscribe to Praxis - https://www.greeninstitute.org.au/praxispod/ Support Save the Children - https://www.savethechildrenfundraising.org.au/helenhaines
Fair Go Grocers - https://www.greeninstitute.org.au/fair-go/
Sydney mates - Tom’s helping Jenny Leong launch her re-election bid for 2027 on Tuesday October 27th in Newtown, details here - https://my.greens.org.au/civicrm/event/register?id=26097
Brisbane we’re doing another live show! Saturday November 14th 5pm at GoodChat Tom, Emerald Moon and special guest Patience Hodgson! All tix $28 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/serious-danger-live-again-with-tom-ballard-emerald-moon-tickets-2003285110693
Tom’s touring: coming to Geelong, Brisbane & Cairns - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/ Theme by Kye Hughes
Produced by Michael Thegriff-Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerau Support the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerau See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Serious Danger
In this bonus episode, Tom is joined by Amy Goodman and Tia Lessin, star and co-director respectively of Steal This Story, Please! “Taking on politicians, CEOs and riot police, Amy Goodman has reported some of the most urgent and underreported stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping account of the trailblazing journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. Drawing on an extraordinary archive, Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (Trouble the Water, Citizen Koch, The Janes) take us behind the scenes with the warm, wisecracking granddaughter of an Orthodox rabbi — raised in a tradition of asking hard questions — as she navigates a media landscape reshaped by technology, corporate consolidation, and political assaults on the press. Urgent, provocative and unexpectedly funny, Steal This Story, Please! is both a powerful critique of the corporate media, and a celebration of those who challenge it.” The film screened as part of the Adelaide Film Festival last week, and is out in select theatres in most capital theatres across Australia today. If you’re in Adelaide and you missed last week, there’s another screening this afternoon at Palace Nova East End cinemas Find out more info at https://stealthisstory.org/
First, WA Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John on leave after distressing allegations against him and suggestions of party knowledge. Then, Tom is joined by Research and Intelligence Principal at Redbridge Group, Alex Fein! What is qualitative research and how do focus groups give deeper insights into what voters think? Then, what does this mean for the Greens and Australian politics? (21:50) If everyone wants what the Greens are offering, why does no one know and no one want it from the Greens? And how can the movement change that?
In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined by Kitty Carra, the long-time Director of the Queensland Greens, to discuss her time in the role before her imminent retirement from the position. How many circuses did she run before entering politics? What were her greatest achievements in the position, and her hardest losses? How good did election night 2022 feel, and how bad was 2025? What is next for the movement, and how do we WIN?
Just when you thought Aussie political sketch comedy was dead, in enters Brisbane’s 4BC AM talkback radio station. Tom is joined by the Greens candidate to replace Tim Read as MP for the inner-Melbourne state seat of Brunswick, Adam Pulford! After sharing some memories of Tim and how Adam wants to continue his work, a look at the reactions to the new federal Greens leaders. (18:06) Landlords? And are they really going to deliver member elections for leader? Then, a look at Adam’s campaign for Brunswick and the announcement of the Greens Victorian election platform. (41:21) Plus Max and The Green Institute announce a vision for government-owned supermarkets. Somebody stop these communists! ---------- Just released on Patreon - "Vic Labor & SDA vs RAFFWU ft. Josh Cullinan" The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of ONE HUNDRED past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU ---------- Help Adam Pulford become MP for Brunswick! https://adampulford.com/ Victorian Greens Election platform has been announced! https://greens.org.au/vic/platform The Anti-Poverty Centre is hosting an online event on Tuesday called ‘Compounding poverty: Three issues to learn about this Anti-Poverty Week’ on Tuesday October 13th at 3:30pm AEDT https://events.humanitix.com/compounding-poverty
Tom is joined by the surprise new leader and deputy of the Australian Greens, Senators David Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May! How did this all go down? When will the members get to choose the leader? How are things going to change? And finally some listener questions from our Patreon subscribers. ---------- Just released on Patreon - "Vic Labor & SDA vs RAFFWU ft. Josh Cullinan" The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of ONE HUNDRED past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU ---------- David Shoebridge links - https://greens.org.au/nsw/person/david-shoebridge