The Karl Stefanovic Show

Former UK Special Forces soldier Ant Middleton joins Karl Stefanovic for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, discipline, national security and the challenges facing modern society.A former Royal Marines Commando, British Army soldier and the longtime chief instructor on SAS: Who Dares Wins, Middleton shares his views on why he believes the West has lost confidence in its values, the importance of law and order, and what real leadership looks like under pressure.The pair also discuss:• The UK Labour Party and the future of Britain• National security and public safety• Policing and recruitment standards• Discipline, resilience and accountability• Why young people need purpose• Modern society and changing values• Lessons from the military• The mindset required to overcome adversityA powerful conversation with one of Britain's most recognisable former Special Forces soldiers.

Australia is facing a crisis of leadership – and according to this panel, voters have had enough.This week on The Karl Stefanovic Show, former Special Forces commander Heston Russell and political commentator Calista Clements join Karl for an unfiltered discussion on Australia's political direction, national identity and the growing support for One Nation.Heston explains why he believes Australia has ‘politicians, not leaders’, why the country's shared values are being eroded, and why more Australians are turning away from the major parties. Calista reflects on leaving the Liberal Party, her criticism of corporate diversity initiatives and Islamic finance, and why she believes voters are searching for political consistency.The panel also tackles the latest developments surrounding the Ben Roberts-Smith case and Section 268 of the Criminal Code, with Heston arguing the changes have deepened mistrust within the veteran community and raising concerns about the implications for current and former Australian soldiers.The panel discusses:• Australia's leadership and values crisis• Why One Nation is surging in the polls• Pauline Hanson's political resurgence• Why voters are abandoning Labor and the Liberal Party• Australian values, immigration and national identity• NAB's Islamic finance controversy• The Ben Roberts-Smith case and Section 268• Veterans, war crimes laws and military accountability• ISIS brides and Australia's repatriation policyFrom political leadership to national security, this is one of the Karl Stefanovic Show's most wide-ranging and provocative political panels yet.

SKIP AHEAD:Barnaby Joyce: 1:23Derek Francis: 17:18Dr Dennis Desmond: 31:20Ben Roberts Smith set up?: 54:01This week on Karl Weekly.One Nation is climbing in the polls with Pauline Hanson now featuring as preferred Prime Minister in new polling. Fresh off her National Press Club address, Barnaby Joyce joins Karl to discuss why One Nation is surging in the polls and why more Australians are turning away from the major parties. He reacts to the dramatic protest that interrupted Hanson's speech, explains why he believes she emerged stronger from the event and shares his concerns about Labor's economic direction.Then former US Defence Intelligence officer Dr Dennis Desmond reveals the hidden world of digital surveillance. From smart devices and doorbell cameras to Chinese-made vehicles capable of collecting your data, he explains how governments and corporations know far more about you than most Australians realise – and why it matters.Former NSW government economist Derek Francis returns with the whiteboard to answer your questions about Labor's proposed tax changes. He argues experts have been shut out of the inquiry, challenges the Treasury's modelling and explains what the reforms could mean for investors, retirees and everyday Australians.Plus Karl weighs in on fresh claims surrounding Ben Roberts-Smith, questions Australia's treatment of returned ISIS brides, and reads your messages about the budget and the growing frustration many Australians are feeling.A big thanks to Tanda for their support of Australians and The Karl Stefanovic Show. If you employ people in this country, go to http://www.tanda.com.au

Former Prime Minister John Howard joins Karl Stefanovic for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of Australia, Labor's political challenges, the housing crisis, migration, One Nation's rise and the future of the Liberal Party.Howard reflects on why Australians are losing trust in major parties, whether Labor misled voters on tax policy, and why he believes housing affordability is fundamentally a supply problem. He also weighs in on migration levels, assimilation, Australia's national identity and the growing popularity of minor parties.The pair discuss:• One Nation's surge in the polls• Labor's tax changes and voter trust• Housing affordability and negative gearing• Migration, integration and social cohesion• The future of the Liberal Party under Angus Taylor• Government debt and spending• Why voters are abandoning major parties• Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and global political trends• Why Howard remains optimistic about AustraliaOne of Australia's longest-serving Prime Ministers reflects on the biggest challenges facing the country – and what comes next.A big thanks to Tanda for their support of Australians and The Karl Stefanovic Show. If you employ people in this country, go to http://www.tanda.com.au

Australia's political landscape is shifting rapidly – and the major parties are feeling the pressure.This week on The Karl Stefanovic Show, founder of People First Party Gerard Rennick, ‘Something Better’ founder Charlotte Mortlock and One Nation senator Sean Bell join Karl for a fiery debate on the collapse of trust in Australia's political establishment, the rise of One Nation, and whether Labor and Liberal have lost touch with voters.Charlotte explains why she quit the Liberal Party and launched a new political movement. Gerard Rennick warns that Australians have completely switched off from the major parties. Sean Bell defends One Nation's growing popularity and responds to criticism that the party isn't ready for government.The panel discusses:• One Nation's surge in the polls • The collapse of the Liberal Party • Why Australians are abandoning the major parties • Gina Rinehart's influence in politics • Gas, energy and resource taxation • Labor's controversial capital gains tax changes • Immigration and population growth • Whether Australia is heading towards an early electionFrom political realignment to economic frustration, this is one of our most explosive political panels yet.