Australian Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay raised concerns on 2GB Afternoons about the speed of the hate speech reforms and their unintended consequences. She said “you have to take the time” to craft hate speech laws properly, raising concerns that the Labor government has moved too quickly. Image:Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images
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Michael McLaren will be back 12 January 2026.
Join Michael McLaren for a mix of news, opinion, entertainment and fun from 12.00pm, Monday to Friday.
You can contact the show on the text line: 0460 873 873
Press PLAY below to catch up on Afternoons with Michael McLaren podcasts
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LATEST STORIES
Michael McLaren
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8 hours ago
Retired Army General has his say on Trump’s possible military action in Iran
Retired Australian Army Major General Gus McLachlan joined 2GB Afternoons to discuss the USA’s possible military response to the current situation unfolding in Iran. McLachlan says if he were advising President Donald Trump, he “would be seeking to have a carrier strike group in location”. Image: Stringer/Getty Images
Michael McLaren /
15/01/2026
Longtime 2GB presenter Brian Wilshire passes away
Longtime 2GB presenter Brian Wilshire has passed away, aged 81. Brian joined 2GB in 1979, hosting the Weeknights program. In 1981, he pioneered the “Midnight Matchmaker,” and also created the “Instant Drama” show, where callers improvised dramatic scenes, a format that would later evolve into Theatre Sports. Image: Paul Murray – Fairfax Archives
Michael McLaren /
14/01/2026
‘Provides protection for hate preachers’: Proposed hate speech laws slammed
Vice President of the Rule of Law Institute of Australia Chris Merritt joined 2GB Afternoons and weighed in on the federal government’s proposed legislation, which is set to redefine the threshold for hate speech. Image:
Michael McLaren /
13/01/2026
‘Selective Solidarity’ – The double standards defining Australia’s latest free speech debate
Michael McLaren suggests that the selective approach to free speech reveals a litigious and fragile state of modern Australian democracy. Arguing that while local writers obsess over “cultural safety,” they remain silent on the oppressive regimes funding their causes. IMAGE CREDIT / Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images
Michael McLaren /
12/01/2026
Listen to the full show podcast with Michael McLaren
2GB Afternoons
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22/08/2025
Afternoons with Michael McLaren – Thursday, August 21st
Listen to the full show podcast with Michael McLaren
2GB Afternoons
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21/08/2025
Afternoons with Michael McLaren – Wednesday, August 20th
Listen to the full show podcast with Michael McLaren
2GB Afternoons
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20/08/2025
Afternoons with Luke Grant – Tuesday, August 19th
Listen to the full show podcast with Luke Grant filling in for Michael McLaren
2GB Afternoons
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19/08/2025
Afternoons with Luke Grant – Monday, August 18th
Listen to the full show podcast with Luke Grant filling in for Michael McLaren
2GB Afternoons
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18/08/2025
Trent Nikolic from drive.com.au delves into biofuels as a green alternative and offers practical car buying advice on Afternoon Drive.
Michael McLaren
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17/06/2024
Finance expert Blake Wendt from Pretzel Finance joins Afternoons to discuss superannuation, insurance, and retirement strategies with just 12 days left until the end of the financial year.
Michael McLaren
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19/06/2024
Each Friday, Michael McLaren is joined by Domain’s Alice Stolz for ‘The Real Estate Show’, looking at Sydney’s hot property market and taking your questions. Fill in this 2GB Afternoons Property Valuation Form to send to our team! – (Your details will be stored with us so that we can take it to our Real […]
Michael McLaren
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20/03/2025
Must listen podcasts
Sometimes the very best comes AFTER the interview. Eskimo Joe frontman Kav Temperley told Deb all about what it was like working with fellow muso Ben Lee! You can subscribe to Kav’s podcast HatJam on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
2GB Afternoons
/ 01:29