Totally Cooked: Episode 31 – The politics of climate change in Australia, with Zali Steggall

What is the state of climate change politics in Australia? Is the country doing enough to respond to the climate crisis? In this episode of Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast, hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan speak with independent MP Zali Steggall about how Australia’s climate debate has changed since her landmark election victory over former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019.

Zali discusses whether climate action has been pushed down the political agenda by cost-of-living pressures, international conflict and changing global politics. The conversation explores the Australian Government’s climate policies, the shifting positions of the Liberal and National parties, the rise of One Nation, and the influence that independents and smaller political parties can have on climate and energy policy.

The episode also examines the future of climate science and research in Australia, including CSIRO funding cuts and concerns about the country’s scientific capability. Zali explains how climate action connects with housing affordability and cost of living, what communities can do to make their concerns heard, and what she hopes to achieve through the new Community Strong political party.

Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Show Notes

In this episode, we look at:

• Where climate sits in Australian politics seven years after Zali unseated Tony Abbott.
• The Coalition’s retreat from net zero, the rise of One Nation, and Labor’s continued coal and gas approvals.
• Why cost-of-living pressures push climate down the agenda, and how the two are linked.
• Methane, gas exports and the gaps in current policy.
• Australia’s research spending (~1.7% of GDP), CSIRO cuts, and defence spending versus adaptation investment.
• Housing, building standards and cheap cooling fixes like white roofs and tree canopy.
• Misinformation, algorithms, AI watermarking, and how to hold your representatives to account.
• What Community Strong Australia is and why she co-founded it.

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This episode will be released and available to stream and download on Friday 24th September, 2026.

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Why listen to Totally Cooked?

Because it’s time to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Totally Cooked is a science-backed, straight-talking podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth – especially here in Australia.

Hosted by climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and science communicator Iain Strachan, Totally Cooked breaks down how human activity is changing the Earth’s systems—from our skies to our seas—and what we can do about it.

From greenhouse gases to fire weather, supercomputers to Antarctic ice cores, this is climate science without the jargon, and where no subject is too complex or controversial.

Totally Cooked is for anyone who wants to understand the science of climate change—without needing a PhD. Whether you’re a high school student, policy maker, journalist, teacher, concerned citizen or just a little climate-curious, this podcast will give you the tools to think clearly and act confidently.

• Cut through the noise with clear, honest science.
• Understand the why behind climate change;
• Learn how climate change impacts real-world weather;
• Hear from the best researchers and scientists in their field and from around the world;

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