Today, credit where's credit due as a new political debate looms over the banks – the Prime Minister heads West – and moves to fund coal power using the so-called Green Bank.

The Trough for Monday 20th of February

Today – Scott Morrison arcs up over the appointment of Anna Bligh to the Australian Bankers Association, oil and gas companies being targeted in the May budget, and a proposal to introduce four year fixed terms for politicians.

The Trough for Tuesday February 21

Today – The Israeli Prime Minister touches down in Sydney, amid debate about a two-state solution and Labor considering a Buffett tax for high income earners.

The Trough for Wednesday 22nd of February

Today - D-Day for Sunday penalty rates – Hanson attacks the proposed paid parental leave scheme, and Ken Henry calls for changes to the GST.

The Trough for Thursday 23rd of February

Today – Tony "No Sniping" Abbott gets a few things off his chest about the state of the Liberals, a storm erupts over penalty rates, and Dr Ken Henry's frank assessment about the state of federal politics.

The Trough for Friday February 24

Today, the Coalition's popularity has sunk further according to Newspoll, as Malcolm Turnbull contends with Tony Abbott's outburst on Thursday night and Labor capitalises on a decision to cut penalty rates for hospitality workers.

The Trough for Monday February 27

Today - a report into 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act is handed down, rumours about Malcolm Turnbull's replacement once he retires from politics, and Centrelink under fire for leaking personal details to Fairfax

The Trough for Tuesday the 28th of February

Today - the LNP threatens to split in Queensland, as divisions deepen within the Coalition about what to do with racial discrimination laws. Apologies it's late - Soundcloud (thanks to Amazon) had a few issues this morning...
(A few things to add this morning - Scott Morrison's remarks on AM that changing 18C wont deliver any new jobs was an interesting rebuttal. We'll see how that plays out in the party room)

The Trough for Wednesday the 1st of March

Today - Eric Abetz says penalty rates should be grandfathered, things go paleo pear-shaped for Dept of Finance's recruitment video + Mitch Fifield on his love of Hi5.

The Trough for Thursday the 2nd of March

Today – More advice from Abbott, this time on penalty rates, a pay freeze possible for MPs and a government backbencher calls for debate on reserving Australia's gas supplies.

The Trough for Friday the 3rd of MArch

Today, Pauline Hanson under pressure over comments on Putin and vaccinations, while some government MPs express concern over a looming cut to penalty rates

The Trough for Monday 6th March

Today - More woes in WA, as Pauline Hanson defends her comments on vaccinations. Plus, plans re-emerge for an Australian Department of Homeland Security, while ScoMo praises Victoria's housing affordability plan

The Trough for Tuesday 7th March

Today, internal resistance to an Australian version of the Department of Homeland Security, a looming battle over resources taxes and warnings of a looming gas shortage this winter

The Trough for Wednesday the 8th of MArch

Today – One Nation in disarray ahead of WA poll + energy players blame policy paralysis for power prices.

The Trough for Thursday the 9th March

Today – all the reaction from Kate Ellis' resignation, fresh reshuffle speculation and tensions between the Liberals & the Nationals hit fever pitch in Western Australia ahead of Saturday's state election.

The Trough for Friday the 10th of March

Today – SA unveils its new power plan, QLD's election to be delayed thanks to One Nation and Julie Bishop's blunt message to China.

The Trough for Tuesday the 14th of March

Today, a proposed $2 billion expansion of the Snowy Scheme, as gas giants are put on notice over a looming shortage. Also featuring cybernetic Australian soldiers from the future.

The Trough for Thursday the 16th of March

Today - Newspoll sweetens for PM, Keating warns any changes to super will sting savers, Dutton upset by swarming CEOs on same sex marriage, and some terrible, terrible bee puns.

The Trough for Monday the 20th March

Today, pressure in the Coalition partyroom over 18C, crunch time for a number of government bills stuck in the Senate, and the Honourable Member for Pearce Christian Porter shows off his artistic skills.

The Trough for Tuesday 21st March

Today - Turnbull slams Pauline Hanson over calls for Muslim immigration ban, Abbott calls for the Federal Government to keep the Hazelwood power station open and Jacqui Lambie opens up on welfare cuts. 

Also - this is the final episode from me. At least for now. As I warned, this was always going to be an experiment, and I'm satisfied that it works. But it was also going to be difficult to help pay the bills with this and I simply wont have enough time thanks to the work I'm doing now.  If you want more information, take a listen or visit Thetrough.com.au

So, thanks for listening. I'll talk to you soon.

The Trough for Friday the 24th of March

Hi, I'm Francis Keany - author and broadcast journalist.

Welcome to The Trough, your daily news feed.

This podcast is a bit of an experiment - a daily ten minute bite-sized wrap of all the political stories you need to know before you get to work each morning. It's something I've been keen on doing for some time and I hope you guys will love it. I'll be running this for the next few weeks as I explore the world of freelance journalism.

For those wondering about the name, The Trough is a nickname given to the Parliamentary Staff Cafeteria in Canberra, where politicians, staffers and journalists can dine for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There is the occasional complaint about the serving sizes of the Beef Stroganoff

The Trough Podcast

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