On Katherine Deves, a hung parliament, and the new silence about COVID

As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team.

In this podcast Michelle and politics + society editor Amanda Dunn canvass the controversy surrounding Katherine Deves, the Prime Minister’s hand-picked candidate for Warringah, who posted transphobic comments on social media. Scott Morrison is standing by her in the strongest terms, refusing persistent calls from within the Liberal party for her dumping.

Morrison and Anthony Albanese have both said they won’t do deals with independents to form government if there is a hung parliament. Michelle and Amanda discuss what really would happen if the election produced no clear winner.

As the campaign continues, COVID is hardly getting a mention – yet case numbers are large and death numbers substantial. Why is there this apparent lack of concern?

Cliamte is a major issue with many voters, on all the polling. But so far it hasn’t been as dominant in the campaigning as we might have expected – indicating, in part, how the attention issues get varies in different parts of the country.