New Politics: Australian Politics

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been released from Belmarsh Jail after over five years of incarceration. This marks the end of a prolonged saga that began in 2010 when WikiLeaks released footage showing the US military committing acts that are considered war crimes in Baghdad, though no one has been charged over these actions. Successive Australian governments, regardless of their political leanings, failed to act on Assange’s behalf, despite promises made while in opposition.

Despite criticism of the Albanese government for perceived slow action, significant diplomatic efforts behind the scenes have finally borne fruit – Jennifer Robinson, Assange’s legal counsel, praised the work of Albanese and others in securing his release, heralding it as a great day for media freedom.

The charges against Assange were always contentious, serving more as a warning to potential whistleblowers than a pursuit of justice. The public’s right to know about government actions, especially in the context of the US military’s actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a central theme. Yet, the whistleblowers Assange and Chelsea Manning faced severe consequences, while the perpetrators of the exposed war crimes went unpunished. The case has also highlighted problems with the US Espionage Act, which needs reform.

The nuclear debate in Australia, led by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, appears to have lost momentum – it was never a serious proposition anyway but served as a political tool to position Dutton as a leader with a plan, divert government resources, and amuse the media. Speculation now suggests the announcement was also a strategic move to fend off a potential leadership challenge from Angus Taylor, the Shadow Treasurer. Recent media scrutiny, particularly from traditionally conservative outlets, also indicates underlying leadership tensions within the Liberal Party.

In response to the nuclear debate, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appointed Matt Kean, a former NSW Liberal Treasurer known for his climate activism, as the new chair of the Climate Change Agency. This move, while politically clever, aims to foster bipartisanship on climate issues, though it has upset some within both major political parties.

Senator Fatima Payman made headlines by supporting a motion in the Senate to recognise the state of Palestine, aligning with historical Labor values. Despite the motion’s defeat, it symbolised a significant gesture of support for Palestine. Prime Minister Albanese indicated there would be no repercussions for Payman, highlighting the complex relationship between international relations and party politics. The genocide in Gaza continues with daily attacks by the Israeli Defense Force against civilians but despite reduced media coverage in recent weeks, anti-war and anti-genocide protests continue across Australia. The conflict threatens to destabilise the Middle East further, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution.

Samantha Mostyn, the incoming Governor–General, will begin her term with a notable salary increase, and this has sparked controversy, given the current cost-of-living pressures. However, the increase aligns with legislative decisions and the comparative lack of a military or judiciary pension for Mostyn, distinguishing her from her predecessors.

This episode of New Politics – one of the best Australian politics podcasts – explores these complex political issues, providing in-depth analysis and discussion on the implications for Australia and beyond.

In this week’s episode of News Politics, we look at the latest escalation in the climate wars – the latest chapter has the Coalition turning up the heat by announcing seven proposed locations for nuclear power stations. As we’ve suggested before, these projects will never be built but provide Peter Dutton with a platform to dominate the political agenda with lies and disinformation under the guise of addressing climate change.

Nuclear power in Australia faces significant hurdles, primarily due to the high costs involved, and nuclear energy is an expensive option, especially when compared to the more affordable renewable energy alternatives. Six out of the seven proposed nuclear sites are in safe Liberal or National party seats, indicating a strategic choice to avoid backlash in more contentious areas – it might mitigate the “not in my backyard” syndrome but raises questions about the true intent behind the proposal.

It’s a high-risk strategy with scant details – the Coalition hasn’t specified the type, size, or cost of the nuclear reactors, leaving the public to wonder about the feasibility of the plan. Even if there were massive public support for nuclear energy, this proposal is filled with so much uncertainty that it’s hard to imagine it gaining traction.

Globally, the trend is moving away from nuclear energy. Countries such as Japan and Germany have significantly reduced their reliance on nuclear power, transitioning to renewable energy sources. Despite some nations like France and Slovakia maintaining high levels of nuclear energy, the global supply from nuclear is declining, while renewable energy is on the rise.

The Coalition’s nuclear announcement will have local political ramifications, benefiting groups such as Climate 200 – key supporter of the teal independents – and the Australian Greens. Climate 200 has targeted nine extra seats for the next federal election, with several in marginal areas. This nuclear proposal might bolster their chances, as well as those of the Greens in key seats.

Peter Dutton’s rise as the preferred Prime Minister in a recent Resolve Poll is another development worth noting. While the margin over Anthony Albanese is slim, and critics argue this could be an outlier, it reflects growing concerns about Albanese’s cautious leadership style. The Albanese government’s attempts to appease News Corporation and its handling of key issues have led to questions about their political strategy. Has this strategy been worth it?

We also discuss China Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia, which the media has portrayed with suspicion and their usual anti-China rhetoric. This visit was covered neutrally by international outlets but sensationalised by the Australian media. This anti-China sentiment, leveraged by conservative politics, contrasts with the Labor government’s efforts to normalise relations with China, which could benefit the Australian economy.

Finally, we look at the recent pay rise for federal politicians, a quietly implemented increase of 3.5 per cent. In the context of a cost-of-living crisis, this move seems ill-timed and out of touch with the electorate’s struggles, suggesting that solidarity with voters might have been a more strategic choice.

Join us as we unpack these developments and explore their implications for Australian politics and beyond.

In this episode of New Politics, we explore the troubling decision by the National Anti-Corruption Commission to not pursue investigations against six public officials previously involved with the Coalition government’s Robodebt scheme. Despite significant public and political expectations spurred by the scathing findings of the Robodebt Royal Commission, the NACC’s decision is a severe disappointment, a failure at its first major test.

We look at the ramifications of this decision, which has not only disillusioned many affected by the Robodebt scheme—a policy that has been linked to immense financial and personal distress—but also raised questions about the effectiveness and independence of the NACC. With over $1.8 billion lost and profound societal impacts, including over 2,000 suicides, the decision to forego investigation into a scheme deemed neither fair nor legal by many scholars and legal analysts has sparked significant public outcry.

Further complicating the political landscape are the revived “climate wars,” with Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton’s controversial statements on withdrawing from the Paris agreement and refusing to set new emissions targets unless elected. We unpack the potential political and environmental consequences of such positions, especially in light of the significant electoral shifts in traditionally conservative areas, which now demand greater action on climate change. How will the Liberal Party gain the seats it needs to win at the next election if it just antagonises the electorate?

Also, we touch on the ongoing tensions surrounding the King’s Birthday honours and the recent media uproar involving former Liberal Treasurer Peter Costello at Nine Media, alongside global issues such as the continuing dire situation in Gaza. With escalating violence and international diplomatic efforts to broker peace, we examine the broader implications of these conflicts on global politics and humanitarian efforts.

Join us as we explore these pressing issues, and uncover the layers of complexity in these governance challenges and the ongoing struggle for integrity and accountability in Australian politics.

In this episode of New Politics, we explore the reasons behind the significant stir within the conservative mainstream media sparked by rumours of former Liberal Party MP Josh Frydenberg’s potential return to federal politics. Once a key figure as the Treasurer and the representative for Kooyong, Frydenberg’s speculated comeback ignited considerable enthusiasm at News Corporation, almost as though Robert Menzies himself was making the return. However, Josh Frydenberg is no Robert Menzies: his actual influence and the community’s reception starkly contrast with the portrayals on Sky News, which, fortunately, do not represent the views of the electorate.
We examine Frydenberg’s decision not to re-enter the political fray despite persistent media encouragement, particularly from outlets such as the ABC and Sky News. There are reasons why Frydenberg lost his seat to independent Monique Ryan in the 2022 election: he is not as effective as the media would have us believe.
This episode also highlights broader challenges facing the Liberal Party, marked by internal conflicts and leadership challenges in preparation for the post-Peter Dutton era. The upheavals within the Victoria branch of the Liberal Party, infiltrated by religious zealots, highlights its struggle to re-establish itself, especially in upcoming contests such as the one in Kooyong against Monique Ryan, who appears well-established in the seat.
Also, we cast a spotlight on the significant, yet often overshadowed, role of speechwriters in political communication and debate the controversy around the hefty remuneration—$300,000!—for the speechwriter of Minister Bill Shorten. We debate the value of such investments in the context of political efficacy and public perception.
We critique the Labor government’s approach to environmental policy, particularly the newly introduced Nature Positive Bill, questioning its effectiveness and alignment with prior promises and the expectations of progressive constituents. “Nature positive”—is this just spin and political marketing, or is there something substantial behind it?
And is it enough for the Labor government to be slightly better than the Coalition, which was in office from 2013 to 2022 and was arguably one of the worst governments in Australian history? No, it is not: they need to perform much better and be held accountable when they fail to deliver on the key issues they promised from the opposition.

In this week’s episode of New Politics, we explore the recent parliamentary session where the Prime Minister informed the Labor Caucus that they are “crafting the offer for a second term.” This statement has been widely interpreted as a preparatory move for an election, though this is unlikely before the Queensland state election in October. Redistribution issues further complicate the timing, but we think the possible election dates are either November or April 2025.
Amidst this electoral anticipation, pressing issues from the current term still demand resolution. Economic management remains a concern, and other ongoing issues include housing, the “future made in Australia” program, domestic violence, and energy pricing. These are long-term challenges that require continuous management rather than immediate solutions.
Immigration continued to be as a contentious issue for the government, particularly concerning the deportation of non-citizens who have committed crimes – Peter Dutton is expected to capitalise on this topic – as conservatives usually do – a natural territory for him, leading up to the next election.
For the Labor government, some supporters on the left believe that a second term will allow for the implementation of more radical social policies. However, there is no clear evidence of what Labor intends to pursue in a potential second term. Historically, second terms of Labor governments have varied in productivity and political stability, as seen in comparisons between the Hawke, Whitlam, and Gillard governments. Speculations about a second term under Prime Minister Albanese suggest it might mirror the first term in its cautious and steady approach.
Racism has re-entered the national debate following comments by ABC journalist Laura Tingle at the Sydney Writers Festival. Her remarks about Australia’s racist tendencies sparked outrage from News Corporation, demanding her reprimand, as well as their usual calls to defund the ABC. We examine the broader context of racism in Australia, from historical policies to contemporary issues, and the media’s role in perpetuating or challenging these narratives.
The ABC fails to protect its journalists from external attacks – Stan Grant, Yasmin Abdel-Magied, and Antoinette Latouf are prime examples of this – but Laura Tingle, as a senior journalist and ABC board member, represents a tougher challenge for removal. Will she stay, or will she go?
The media’s influence on politics is another focal point, with Sky News and News Corporation acting as political activists for the Liberal Party. The Prime Minister Albanese’s more detailed recognition of media issues in the Democracy Sausage podcast highlights this point, though his reluctance to act remains puzzling.
Finally, we cover the Australian Greens’ motion to debate the recognition of the state of Palestine, which was swiftly defeated. We also address the duplicity of political statements on Palestine and the broader implications for Australian foreign policy. The reluctance to take a stand on Palestine is linked to fear of backlash from pro-Israel lobby groups, a dynamic mirrored in UK and US politics.

Welcome to this week’s episode of New Politics, where we analyse the latest events in Australian politics, global diplomacy, and the intersection of law and human rights. We dissect the aftermath of the federal budget and the opposition’s budget reply amidst ongoing political machinations, including the contentious topics dominating the political landscape, including immigration policies, the debate over nuclear versus renewable energy, and the broader implications of these discussions on the next federal election which is now not too far away.
We assess the strategic positioning of the opposition’s controversial stance on reducing immigration and promoting nuclear energy – despite expert evidence pointing to the high costs and long timelines associated with nuclear power, as highlighted by recent CSIRO reports, the Liberal and National parties are still pushing ahead with nuclear energy, despite the feasibility and sincerity of these policies. And despite fluctuations in opinion polls, the Labor government still remains favoured to win the next election, especially when consideration perceptions of government performance over the past 11 years.
In a major international segment, we discuss the recent developments concerning Julian Assange’s legal battles, including his right to appeal extradition to the United States, the complexities of international law, the potential implications of his case, and broader human rights concerns. Assange should not be in jail and the charges should be dropped and we question whether the government has done enough to secure his release.
We also look at the federal government’s considerations to restrict social media usage among individuals under 16, reflecting on the potential impacts and challenges of such a policy. While it’s without question that social media has an impact on young people – all people, in fact – it’s not clear whether the government’s proposals will actually make a difference.
There are significant developments in international relations in the Middle East, notably the International Criminal Court’s recent actions against Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and the recognition of Palestine by several European nations. We provide a comprehensive analysis of these events, their implications on global diplomacy, and the varying responses from political leaders, and what this means for politics in Australia.

In this in-depth episode of New Politics, we take a closer look at a series of significant events impacting global politics, human rights, and national economic policies. We begin by examining the escalating student-led pro-Palestine protests that have ignited across major university campuses worldwide, starting from Columbia University and spreading across the U.S. and Australia. These protests, fueled by the harsh realities of the conflict in Gaza, demand a reassessment of university investments with Israel and shine a light on the broader geopolitical implications involving major world powers.
We also discuss the upcoming United Nations vote on whether to recognise Palestine as a full member state—a topic of intense international diplomacy and contention. We dissect the complexities behind the U.S. and other major powers’ positions on this issue, exploring how past actions and present debates at the U.N. reflect on the broader challenges of achieving a two-state solution in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Could the events in East Timor from 1999 offer any guidance?
On the domestic front, we look into the federal government’s pre-Budget announcements, highlighting the proposed changes to the HECS debt system and other fiscal policies including tax cuts, cost-of-living adjustments, and support mechanisms like the Future Made In Australia program. We question the effectiveness and timing of these announcements, considering the broader context of national economic strategy and upcoming electoral considerations.
Finally, we revisit the debate on manufacturing in Australia, focusing on the end of car manufacturing by the Coalition in 2013—despite their denials that they weren’t responsible for this—and its long-term impacts on communities. We analyse political narratives and accountability, examining the current government’s efforts to revitalise the sector, against the backdrop of past policy decisions that have shaped the economic landscape.

In this episode of New Politics, we explore the eternal issue of domestic violence in Australia, exploring the recent headlines and government actions – or lack thereof – that have fueled both media coverage and public discourse. We begin with the No More rally in Canberra, where domestic violence against women and children took centre stage, highlighting the slow governmental response despite numerous reports and increasing public pressure. It’s a critical issue that affects over half of the population and it’s a disaster that the political system doesn’t seem to want to implement the solutions, even though they’ve been available for years.
We also look at the political dynamics at play, particularly focusing on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s involvement at the No More rally – should he have been there? Or not been there? Albanese didn’t seem to read the room very well – or the crowd – and the substantial political fallout could have been avoided if he avoided the centre stage. But he would have been criticised anyway, so what should a Prime Minister? As always, the answer is: “just do the right thing”. Implementing the best policies to reduce domestic violence would have avoided the need for a rally in the first place.
Despite the announcement of $925 million to aid victims and new bans intended to protect against digital abuses, we question the effectiveness of funding without societal and cultural changes to address the root causes of domestic violence.
We then look at the role of the media in shaping public perception and the political narrative and scrutinise how various media outlets negatively reported on the rally and the government’s actions, examining the impact of sensationalism and political bias on the actual issues at hand.
We also look at mental health, as highlighted by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s public discussion of his struggles while he was in office and a broader debate on the adequacy of government action and funding for mental health services. Should we feel any sympathy for Morrison’s revelations? His actions in office included attacking asylum seekers, the disastrous Robodebt scheme, cutbacks to mental health services, especially for young adults. Maybe not.
Join us as we navigate these political and social issues, seeking clarity on what has been done, what could be done better, and the ongoing impact of political and media narratives on real-world problems.

In this new episode of New Politics, we explore the pressing concerns impacting Australians today. Starting with the grocery and supermarkets sector, we analyse the interim report from the Food and Grocery Code Review which highlights the significant power imbalance favouring major supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi. We discuss the implications of their unchecked practices on small suppliers and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the Grocery Code. 
We also shed light on Australia’s housing crisis, focusing on the alarming rate of unoccupied housing and the contentious debate over using superannuation for home purchases. Governments have a habit of exacerbating these kinds of issues: first home owner grants were politically popular but made the problem worse, and restrictive policies on local zoning block the supply of new dwellings. We explore the potential repercussions of these policies on the housing market and the broader economy.
The Institute of Public Affairs is an insidious organisation that is the conduit between the Murdoch empire and the Liberal Party and it has inflicted much damage on the social fabric of Australian society—it’s now running a campaign against fact-checking organisations for what it claims is “left-wing bias” and we look at the broader implications for disinformation and political bias in media. The IPA is all for free speech, but only when that freedom is favourable to its political agenda: for everyone else; it’s sit down, shut up and do as you’re told. The true hallmark of modern conservative politics: just keep lying; the public will eventually believe it.
And finally, we address the new culture war and political uproar surrounding the appointment of Sam Mostyn as the new Governor–General, examining the reactions from News Corporation and other conservative political figures.

In this episode of New Politics, we explore a series of pressing global and domestic issues that have unfolded recently. We start with a development in Gaza, where the killing of Zomi Frankcom, an Australian working for the food charity World Central Kitchen, has sparked international controversy. Initially attributed to Hamas by Israeli forces, evidence later revealed the Israeli Defense Forces’ actions were responsible. This incident has led to criticism of the Australian government's response, or lack thereof, from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Can the Australian government do more about the situation in Palestine? If genocide is being committed, of course there’s more that can be done. Always. Especially when we consider all of the support Albanese offered to the cause of Palestine, earlier on in his parliamentary career.

We also touch on the complexities of proportional representation, spotlighted by the prolonged vote counting following Tasmania’s state election. The Hare-Clark electoral system, while confusing to some, promotes fairer outcomes and coalition governance—a principle we argue should be more widely adopted rather than abandoned.

Our discussion shifts to Australia's domestic front, scrutinising the Labor government’s proposed immigration legislation. These changes, giving the immigration minister increased powers and imposing minimum mandatory prison sentences for non-compliance with deportation processes, have been controversial. They signal a troubling trend towards increasingly draconian asylum seeker laws, perpetuating a cycle of harsh policies regardless of the governing party.

Finally, we critique the Liberal Party’s recent preselection decisions, which continue to sideline women in favour of men, ignoring calls for greater gender diversity in political representation. This episode is packed with insights, expert opinions, and a call for more humane policies and government accountability.

In this episode, we explore the controversial return of the Religious Discrimination Bill to federal parliament. Once thought to be a relic of the Scott Morrison era, the bill has resurfaced during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s tenure, fulfilling a promise made during the 2022 federal election campaign. We discuss the implications of allowing religious schools the autonomy to hire staff and enroll students based on faith, amidst concerns over discrimination against non-conforming individuals and the LGBTQI+ community. Despite proposed protections, the debate intensifies over the condition of federal funding to religious institutions. Why should schools have the right to discriminate?

We then shift to the pressing issue of campaign and donations reform. With the Australian Greens and independent crossbenchers championing a new bill, we examine the longstanding resistance from major parties and the potential impact of proposed reforms, including truth-in-advertising laws, lowered donations disclosure thresholds, and limitations on contributions from socially harmful industries. Making these reforms should be difficult, but it always is.

We address the Liberal Party’s internal turmoil, spotlighting the displacement of senior women in favour of male hardliners, a move that exacerbates the party’s ongoing “man problem” and hinders its progress toward gender equality in parliament. As the Liberal Party grapples with declining female representation, we analyse the broader implications for its electoral prospects and public perception.

Finally, we venture into the unique political landscape of Tasmania, where the upcoming election introduces an unpredictable element to Australian politics. Amidst promises of chocolate fountains and AFL stadiums by the Liberal Party, we compare this with the opposition’s focus on cost of living relief, healthcare, and housing affordability. Labor should be a shoo-in for this election but it’s not: then again, Tasmanian politics are quite different to the mainland and the election result is anyone’s guess.

In this thought-provoking episode, we look at the recent political and economic developments impacting Australia and the world, starting off with the influence of world-renowned economic thinkers Mariana Mazzucato and Yanis Varoufakis—in Australia at the moment—we explore the shifting economic paradigms of governance, business, and community interests.

Dr. Mazzucato’s advocacy for a collaborative approach between business, labour, and government highlights a transformative vision for delivering public services, a perspective gaining traction globally and eyed keenly by the Australian government ahead of the upcoming budget. Meanwhile, Yanis Varoufakis, known for his stand against austerity measures during Greece’s financial crisis, continues to challenge the neoliberal orthodoxy, offering invaluable insights into leveraging economic policies for community enhancement amid global transitions.

We also have a critical look at Australia’s foreign policy stance, especially concerning the escalating situation in Gaza. Varoufakis’ commentary on Australia’s need for an independent foreign affairs outlook and its response to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict invites a re-evaluation of our national and global roles and responsibilities.

Moreover, the potential unraveling of the AUKUS deal, marked by the United States scaled-back submarine commitments, brings to light the complexities of international defence agreements and their implications for Australian security and diplomacy. Is it time to cancel AUKUS? We examine the broader geopolitical and internal political factors at play.

Lastly, we address the pressing issue of aged care reform in Australia, following the Aged Care Taskforce report. The discussion revolves around the proposed changes, the financial sustainability of aged care, and the government’s reluctance to adopt recommended funding mechanisms (just don’t mention the word “tax”) highlighting the critical choices facing policymakers in ensuring quality care for the aging population.

In this episode, we explore the latest developments in Australian politics, from ambitious education reforms to the end of an era in disastrous Liberal Party leadership.

First up, we unpack the recently released Universities Accord final report by the Labor government, a comprehensive plan aimed at reshaping higher education over the next few decades. From increasing the number of university-educated Australians to addressing HECS fees and funding, the report outlines ambitious goals but leaves questions about teaching quality and industrial relations unanswered and how to avoid conservative forces destroying the reforms when they return to office at some point in the future.

We also look at Scott Morrison's valedictory speech in parliament, marking the end of a disastrous era in Australian politics, a level of damage which will take years to correct and repair. With reflections on his tenure and its place within the broader Howard era, we consider the implications of his departure for Australian politics. Is he Australia’s worst prime minister? We’d rank him at number 31, much to the relief of supporters of Billy McMahon.

Finally, we look at upcoming by-election in Dunkley. As the Coalition gains ground in some polls and Labor faces a crucial test in the by-election, we examine the potential ramifications for both parties and the future of governance in Australia. And should we say goodbye to by-elections?

Join us as we dissect these key developments and explore what lies ahead in Australian politics.

In this episode, we go into the heart of Australia's current political storm surrounding asylum seekers and border protection. Join us as we unpack the maniacal rhetoric of Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party, who have spared no effort in amplifying the arrival of 43 asylum seekers from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan in Beagle Bay, Western Australia. Amidst claims of a collapsing border protection system and a weak prime minister at the helm, we question the real audience and efficacy of such hyperbolic political strategies.

But the political theatrics don't end at the water's edge. We also explore the Coalition's vehement opposition to the federal government's proposed national vehicle efficiency standard. Labeling it a "car and ute tax" and forecasting a dire impact on tradies, the Coalition's narrative seems more like a replay of the 2019 election campaign strategy rather than a genuine concern for the working class or the environment. Essentially, it’s a bit of cosplay for the purposes of the Dunkley byelection coming up soon, but it’s not going to work.

We also dissect the media's coverage of the war in Gaza, critiquing the one-sided narrative that has dominated Australian news outlets. With a staggering disparity in casualties between Israeli civilians and Palestinians, we discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion and the consequences of unbalanced reporting on political decisions and the ongoing cycle of violence.

Listen in as we navigate through these complex issues, shedding light on the politics of fear, the environmental stakes of policy debates, and the power of media in influencing the discourse on international conflict.

In this episode of New Politics, we look at all the big issues in federal politics as Parliament reconvenes for 2024. The spotlight shines on the contentious Stage 3 tax cuts, a topic that has transcended beyond its decision point and into a prolonged media and Liberal Party campaign, framing it as an unparalleled breach of promise. While this narrative unfolds, we’ll explore how it’s shaping the political landscape and why it might spell more trouble for the Liberal Party than for the government.
Amidst this, the Labor government witnesses a confluence of economic developments. With the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold interest rates steady and inflation rates on a downward trajectory from a peak of 7.8% in 2022 to 4.1%, we evaluate the broader implications for Australia’s economic outlook in 2024.
We also focus on the Coalition’s current activities, highlighting their participation in the Rally Against Reckless Renewables and their stance on clean energy, raising questions about their policy direction while in opposition.
We pay tribute to Dr. Lowitja O’Donoghue, commemorating her monumental contributions to Australian society and politics as a revered leader and advocate for the indigenous community and beyond.
The recent suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency by Australia, a decision mirroring accusations from the Israeli government without preceding evidence or investigation is also explored—a move critiqued for its lack of substantiation and potential international ramifications.
Finally, the episode addresses the misinterpretation of public sentiment and media narratives around the Labor government’s performance and public support, challenging the perpetuated notion of a government in distress with insights from recent opinion polls.
Join us as we navigate through the currents of Australian politics, offering analysis, reflections, and a look ahead at what these developments mean for the nation’s future. #AUSPOL #Gaza

In our first episode for 2024, we delve into the recent adjustments made by the Labor government to the Stage 3 tax cuts, initially legislated by the Coalition government in 2019. Originally criticised for disproportionately benefiting high-income earners and offering minimal support to lower and middle-income demographics, these tax cuts represented a significant point in Australian politics. Despite the Labor party's historical opposition to such policies, under Prime Minister Albanese’s leadership, the party showed support with notable reluctance until a recent shift prompted a reevaluation and adjustment of the cuts. We will explore the implications of these adjustments, which promise to extend greater benefits to nearly 85% of wage earners, marking a significant departure from the originally planned benefits and raising the key question about the timing and motivations behind this policy reversal: why did it take so long?
We also address the announcement from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison regarding his departure from politics. Morrison’s tenure highlights a tumultuous period in Australian political history, marked by controversy, accusations of incompetence, and allegations of corruption. This episode examines Morrison's political journey, the circumstances surrounding his rise to the office of Prime Minister, and the legacy of his leadership. We will discuss the broader implications of his departure for the political landscape in Australia and what it signifies for the future of governance and public service integrity in the country.
Join us as we explore these major developments in Australian politics, providing a comprehensive analysis of their immediate impact and long-term consequences for the nation's political discourse and policy direction.

In our final episode in the summer series, we review Australia Day, also known as Invasion Day, Survival Day and Day of Mourning, First Landing Day, Foundation Day, Anniversary Day, ANA Day… but whatever it’s called, January 26 is a problematic day, most definitely for many Indigenous people, but increasingly for the non-Indigenous community as well.

January 26 also seems to ignite the annual Culture War in Australia, albeit, a little bit early this year with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's decision to boycott Woolworths for not stocking Australia Day items.

The conservative media amplify these conflicts, creating 'imaginary enemies' like Australian cricketer Pat Cummins, who expressed discomfort with Australia Day – and of course, was targeted by Liberal Party identities and mainstream media for questioning Australia Day.

Despite which government in power, these issues are magnified similarly each year by these conservative players, which is all about leveraging cultural conflicts for political gain, distracting from substantive policy issues like the economy, housing, health, and education.

Our summer series continues until our regular schedule commences. This week, Eddy Jokovich and David Lewis review the war against Palestine and the events in Gaza, which began in October and continued throughout November, December, and the new year. It appears unlikely to end anytime soon.
Despite global opinions, only the US and Israel can decide to end these acts of war crimes and ethnic cleansing – as early as tomorrow, if they wished. However, numerous agendas are at play here.
This international event encompasses everything – the international arms trade, geopolitics, history, right-wing politics, corruption in Israel from a corrupt Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas’s role in Palestine, the influence of the mainstream media, the attacks on journalists, the Israel and Zionist lobby groups in Australia, local politics – and the death of over 24,000 Palestinian civilians and 1,200 Israeli civilians. But why is this number so disproportionate? No one ever seems to be so concerned about answering this question, but this is not new: this war did not commence on October 7, 2023; it has been ongoing since at least 1946.
This war needs to end immediately. The Australian government, like most of the Western world, lacks courage and decency in even voting on a ceasefire. Australia cowardly decided to abstain, and this conflict will likely continue throughout 2024. The weekly protests by many concerned individuals worldwide will persist because they have had enough of governments sitting on the fence and allowing the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza at the hands of the Israel Defense Forces.
Why so many protests? Because, as the former South African President Nelson Mandela said: “Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”.

The one big issue that persisted throughout 2023 is housing affordability across the board: purchasing, renting, social housing, homelessness, and it seems that the right to shelter is one part of Australian society that has been left behind. Over the past thirty years, a home has morphed from being a place where people live into something that people invest in. This is something that needs to change.
One of our most listened-to episodes from last year was the discussion with Cathy Callaghan from Shelter NSW, who outlined the issues that need to be resolved and the kinds of reforms that need to be implemented. But it’s going to take a while.
This interview was recorded in June 2023, but the issues are still relevant today. Let’s see if these issues can be eased during 2024.

Some of the leftover issues from 2023 – in fact, these are leftover issues from the past 40 years – are the behaviour of the mainstream media, a lack of diversity in ownership and political opinion, and declining standards in political reporting.
One of our most listened episodes from last year was the discussion with Australian Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, who outlined the issues that need to be resolved and the kinds of reforms needed to make the media work in the interests of the public, not in the interests of media tycoons, who always seem to have ulterior motivations that favour conservative entities.
This interview was recorded in June 2023, but the issues are still relevant today. Let’s see if these issues will be investigated by the federal government during 2024.

Join us in this captivating episode of New Politics as we look at the fascinating world of Australian politics, highlighting the key events and figures that shaped the year 2023. In part 2 of our series, our analysis begins with a comprehensive review of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s performance, his soaring popularity in the first half of the year, marked by significant achievements such as the Labor government’s triumph in the Aston byelection – a historical victory not seen in over a century. We also touch on the challenges faced, including the Robodebt Royal Commission and economic issues like inflation and interest rate hikes.
But Albanese’s popularity waned, almost in synch with the falling support for the Voice to Parliament and by the end of the year, he was more unpopular than Peter Dutton. How did it get to this stage?
We also explore the contrasting political journey of Dutton, his initial struggles at the beginning of the year, including the unexpected loss in the Aston byelection and his attempts to gain momentum on national issues. However, his tactical shift in opposing the Voice to Parliament boosted his political fortunes, at the expense of Indigenous people, but it’s likely to be a short-term fillip and unlikely to sustain him into the future. However, Dutton keeps being written off, but he is still there: is because of his abilities, or because there are no other challengers for his position within the Liberal Party?
And, the opinion polls for the year. We discuss how Labor’s current position in the polls, mirroring their election night standing in May 2022, bodes well for them despite the unpredictability tied to their low primary vote and provide a nuanced view of the electoral landscape and what it could mean for future elections. Modern politics does not favour the two big political players as well as it has in the past – Labor could increase its primary vote at the next election, yet lose office. Conversely, its primary vote could drop further, yet it could pick up seats, such is the unpredictable nature of a low primary vote.
Finally, we look ahead to 2024: we forecast the political climate, focusing on key issues like the Stage 3 tax cuts and the economy’s role in the lead-up to the next election, and we provide a deep outline of the intricate dynamics of Australian national politics and what to expect in the year ahead.

As the curtain falls on another year in federal politics, our latest podcast episode delves into the final dramas that marked the closing sessions of Parliament. At the forefront is the contentious issue of immigration detention, sparked by a High Court decision deeming indefinite detention of asylum seekers and stateless individuals unlawful. The rush to enact legislation before year-end exposes the complex and often polarised nature of immigration policy, with both major parties contributing to the creation of draconian and, at times, unlawful laws.
We navigate through the challenges of communicating political messages, dissecting the common myths surrounding the Labor government's media strategy. Despite similar narratives from different ideological perspectives, the mainstream media's role in shaping public perception remains a significant factor, posing challenges for effective communication by the government.
Amidst this political landscape, we explore the largely unreported positive economic indicators for the government. With interest rates on hold, lower-than-expected inflation, low unemployment, and a budget surplus, the economic picture contradicts media narratives. However, wage increases falling below inflation rates highlight ongoing challenges, illustrating the complex relationship between economic reality and public perception.
Turning our attention to international affairs, the optimism for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is shattered by recent actions from the Israel Defense Forces. The humanitarian crisis intensifies, prompting calls from Young Labor and numerous branches for decisive international action against Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Is protest actually allowed? Removing a pro-Palestine protestor at Albanese’s speech suggest not.
The ongoing defamation trial involving Bruce Lehrmann sheds light on the inner workings of political advisors and the costly settlements paid by media outlets. The trial offers a glimpse into the inexperience of certain political figures, raising questions about the competence of the Coalition government.
As parliament concludes for the year, we reflect on the flurry of legislative activity, including laws related to preventative immigration detention, labor hire firms, wage theft, and other industrial relations changes. The release of the NDIS report and condolences to the late Peta Murphy add emotional weight to the final parliamentary week, underscoring the multifaceted nature of federal politics as we bid farewell to the parliamentary year.

In this week's episode, of New Politics, we look a the bombshell revelation that over 70 journalists and editors from mainstream media, particularly News Corporation and Nine Media, had trips to Israel sponsored by the Israeli government over the past decade and the Nine Media bans on journalists expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, and raising questions about journalistic principles and media freedom.
The ABC’s warnings for any of their journalists who signed an open letter condemning war crimes in Israel is also a great concern, and there are broader implications for reporting standards. Against the backdrop of the Gaza conflict, we explore the challenges of maintaining unbiased reporting and the role of media in democracies.
We also provide an update on the Gaza cease-fire, Australia's abstention from voting, and the Secretary–General of the United Nations’ perspective on the matter. The disproportionate civilian casualties and the growing international outcry underscore the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis.
There have been many twists and turns in the Bruce Lehrmann vs. Network Ten defamation case, and we examine the civil trial’s contrast with the previously aborted criminal trial, and question the competence of the Australian Federal Police in handling high-profile cases.
We also shine a spotlight on the dismissal of Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo for misconduct but the appointment of Stephanie Foster, despite her controversial past, sparks discussions on transparency and adherence to announced selection processes.
How unpopular is the Prime Minister? And does it really matter? The media is claiming there are “signs of decay” within the Albanese government but how can this be possible after just 18 months? It’s a fallacy: it’s just the ruse that the conservative media usually puts out against Labor governments.
Finally, we explore a landmark deal between the Labor government and the Australian Greens to amend the Murray Darling Basin plan. This collaboration aims to enhance sustainability and equity, marking a positive stride in environmental protection and political cooperation.

Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we explore critical issues that are shaping our world, media landscape, and political future.
We begin by discussing the recent United Nations vote for a ceasefire and humanitarian truce in Gaza. With 120 countries in favour, the United States’ expected “no” vote, and Australia’s abstention, we dissect the complex geopolitics and motivations behind these decisions and the implications of these diplomatic moves and the significance of international resolutions, even if they are non-binding.
Delving into the realm of media bias and balance, we scrutinise the state of mainstream media in Australia. Rather than addressing concerns about bias and striving for balanced reporting, we witness a continued drift towards conservative interests, potentially contributing to the decline of legacy media. We explore the media’s reluctance to adapt to the changing media landscape and the need for more diverse perspectives. In our critique of a recent lecture Andrew Ollie Media Lecture, we highlight the industry’s obsession with sensationalism over public interest stories, and advocate for a more inclusive and informative approach to journalism.
Lastly, we turn our attention to the federal political arena, where speculation abounds regarding the possibility of a minority government in the next Australian federal election. We assess the factors influencing this prospect, from the quality of independent candidates to the government’s performance. With the election 18 months away, we examine the historical context and potential scenarios for the upcoming election, shedding light on the prospects of a minority government.

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the latest developments in Australian politics and global affairs. The federal government’s decision to introduce truth in political advertising laws before the next federal election is a big topic, with nearly 90 per cent of the electorate supporting the move. We explore the implications of such laws and the resistance from the Liberal Party and conservative groups like Advance Australia.

We also look at Tony Abbott’s controversial stance on Indigenous flags and the Voice to Parliament referendum, raising questions about his divisive legacy. It really shows that the objections to the Voice were masking what these extremists were really thinking.

The attacks on Victoria’s new premier, Jacinta Allan, by media outlets, including a distasteful sexist cartoon from News Corporation, are discussed, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by women in politics.

We then take a closer look at the escalating conflict in Palestine, delving into the tragic consequences of the conflict and the global response, while questioning the idea of Israel’s self-defence: where are all the voices in support of the Palestinian people, who are bearing the brunt of all the suffering?

We also look at the recent opinion polls, where the Liberal–National Coalition has taken a lead in an opinion poll for the first time since January 2021, hinting at a potential shift in political dynamics, reflecting on the electability of figures like Peter Dutton and the challenges faced by first-term governments as the electoral cycle progresses.

In this episode, we dive deep into the recent Voice to Parliament referendum, an important moment in Australian politics. The referendum, an important step toward recognising First Nations people in the Australian Constitution, has sparked conversations, debates, and reflections across the nation.

The referendum results were disappointing for many, with 61 per cent of the electorate choosing “No” and only 39 per cent in favour of the proposal. This outcome was disheartening for both the Indigenous community and those who supported the referendum and it means that Australia remains the only colonised country without constitutional recognition of its First Nations people.

The defeat of this referendum raises questions about the reasons behind it. Was it due to inherent racism, the lack of support from major political parties, the influence of disinformation campaigns, or a poorly executed campaign? It’s likely a combination of all these factors. The referendum’s loss represents a missed opportunity for progress in Reconciliation.

The Voice to Parliament, a hope for Indigenous representation, has officially ended, but the work towards Reconciliation must continue. The Indigenous community faces new challenges in light of the “No” vote, and there's a prevailing sense that Reconciliation is at an impasse.

For the first time, Indigenous people were asked what they wanted, and their request was resoundingly rejected by the electorate. This has left a bitter taste for many, as it seemed like a rare opportunity to make their voices heard.

While the referendum’s completion offers some respite from the heated political discourse, there’s a need to reflect on the misinformation and disinformation campaigns that played a significant role in shaping the outcome. The media’s role in perpetuating these narratives is also scrutinised, with a special focus on News Corporation.

This episode of New Politics delves into the complexities of the referendum defeat, the impact on Indigenous leaders, and the challenges ahead. It emphasises the importance of continuing the journey toward Reconciliation and Indigenous rights in Australia. While the road may be tough, there’s hope that a new generation of leaders will push for meaningful change.

As the nation navigates these issues, it’s clear that Australia still has a long way to go in addressing its Indigenous history and rights.

In this episode, we analyse the recent resurgence of war and conflict in Israel and Palestine, tracing its roots to a history of violence and retaliation. We discuss the attacks and mass casualties inflicted by Hamas militants, the subsequent Israeli military response, and the unfortunate one-sided mainstream media coverage on this pressing issue.
We scrutinise the actions of both Hamas and the Israeli military, emphasising the need for condemnation, not just in recent events but over the past half-century and explore the interconnectedness between political events in Israel and conflicts in the region, particularly focusing on Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for a coalition “government of annexation and dispossession”. How will that help to achieve peace in the region?
Amid all this, we must not forget the toll on innocent lives, with a stark contrast in casualties between the two sides, shedding light on a massive Palestinian imbalance rarely acknowledged.
We then look at the need for reform in election funding and campaigning, highlighting the Voice to Parliament referendum, revealing the disturbing behaviour and misinformation propagated by some key figures. We discuss the role of social media, the influence of individuals like Clive Palmer and Gina Rinehart, and the urgency for campaign and electoral funding reform in Australian politics.
As we approach the day of the Voice to Parliament referendum, irrespective of the result, it’s not as though Reconciliation has been achieved the Closing the Gap process is over: it’s just the start. Lessons have to be learned from this campaign, particularly in the context of misinformation and poor political tactics, that will shape the political landscape and future elections. We analyse the strategies employed by different political parties and the need for a sharpened campaigning strategy by the Labor government if it is to achieve its political goals.
In a political environment riddled with deception and misinformation, we examine the potential pathways for different parties to achieve their goals, all while maintaining a critical eye on the complex relationship between politics and public sentiment.

In this episode of New Politics, we delve into the latest developments in Australian politics and social issues. The Voice to Parliament referendum is in full swing, with just one week remaining until the crucial October 14th deadline. We discuss the fear, division, and misinformation surrounding the campaign, particularly from the No campaign and the Liberal Party. It’s clear that they really have nothing to offer, except for fear and misery.
Tasmania’s political landscape is also under scrutiny, as the last Liberal government faces challenges, including resignations, allegations of bullying, and workplace harassment. We explore the impact of these issues on the future of the Liberal Party all across Australia: the party needs to change but how is this going to happen?
The long-awaited Disability Royal Commission report was released, addressing the long-standing concerns of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disabilities. We discuss the recommendations and if Australia wants to be the equitable and just society that it thinks it is, it seriously needs to look at the introduction of a Disability Rights Act.
Additionally, we cover the poverty wages strike by Coles and Woolworths staff, who are demanding fair wages, better workplace protections, and job security. Of course, Coles and Woolworths need to provide all of this: a combined $2.7 billion in profits last year, and billions of profits over the past decade. And how were these profits made? On the back of worker exploitation and low wages. It’s time for Coles and Woolworths to offer fair pay for fair work.
Lastly, we discuss the findings of the review of the temporary visa system, highlighting flaws, corrupt activities, and the serious issues faced by temporary visa holders. Peter Dutton’s role as the Minister for Home Affairs in addressing these challenges is examined, and how these attacks on his competence also signal the beginning of the next federal election campaign.
Join us as we navigate the dynamic landscape of Australian politics and social issues in this excellent episode!

In this episode, we look at the latest developments in the world of federal politics and the media in Australia.
First, we discuss the seismic shift in the media landscape as media mogul Rupert Murdoch steps down from his role as chair of Fox News and News Corporation, passing the role to his son, Lachlan Murdoch. Despite this transition, Rupert Murdoch’s enduring influence and controversial past come under scrutiny, raising questions about the future of media conglomerates in a changing landscape.
We also examine the surprise resignation of Daniel Andrews, the former Premier of Victoria, who managed to defy the odds and secure victory against a backdrop of media opposition. As we reflect on his nine-year tenure, we explore the challenges and accomplishments that define his legacy.
Next, we turn our attention to the controversy surrounding Michael Pezzullo, the head of the department of Home Affairs, who has been embroiled in partisan political debates. We delve into private text message exchanges that shed light on his political involvement and discuss the broader implications for maintaining the apolitical nature of the public service.
We discuss the Commonwealth Government Covid-19 Response Inquiry announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This inquiry aims to scrutinise the early stages of the pandemic, assess government preparedness, and draw lessons from the ongoing crisis. We explore the scope of this inquiry, its implications for future pandemics, and the evolving public sentiment reflected in recent opinion polls which, while it doesn’t provide for good news for Albanese, it has seen a massive drop in support for the leader of the opposition, Peter Dutton. Perhap his racist and divisive attacks on the Voice To Parliament aren’t reaping the political rewards he was after…

In this week’s episode, we dive into the biggest political issues making headlines in Australia. We kick off by discussing the scorching heatwave that hit Sydney, raising concerns about climate change’s growing impact on weather patterns and the looming summer season. There have been many warnings issued by experts over the past 30 years, highlighting the need for swift action on climate change, so why are governments so slow to act?
Next, we shift our focus to the recurring debate surrounding nuclear energy, a topic that resurfaces cyclically (and cynically) in Australian politics. We unpack why the Liberal Party continues to champion this issue, even when evidence suggests it is not economically, environmentally, or politically viable.
We explore the troubling case of whistleblower Richard Boyle, who exposed questionable practices within the Australian Taxation Office. Despite calls to drop the case and concerns about its public interest, the federal government persists in pursuing the criminal trial, potentially leading to a 46-year jail sentence for Boyle. The calls to release Julian Assange are gaining traction, with a key Australian parliamentary delegation in Washington lobbying to gain his release before the end of this year.
In the realm of media, we analyse the common journalistic strategy of using vague phrases like “a lot of people have said” to make claims without substantiation. We draw parallels to a historic Margaret Thatcher interview in 1981 and discuss the importance of holding journalists accountable for their reporting.
Finally, we take a closer look at the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum. While misinformation campaigns continue to swirl and controversial statements arise from the “No” campaign, we consider the broader issue of public opposition to the referendum and its implications. As the referendum approaches, we reflect on the challenges and controversies surrounding this critical event and invite our listeners to stay informed about the ongoing developments.

Join us for an eventful week in Australian politics as we unpack the latest developments from the heart of Parliament. The week kicked off when the Australian Greens threw their support behind the government's Housing Australia Future Fund bill. While this move promises progress, we look into why it may have taken this long and discuss the need for further housing reforms.
And within this political manoeuvring, we examine how both the government and the Greens had to strategically position themselves. This led to a significant victory for both, with the Greens securing a $3 billion concession from the government for social housing through the HAFF, and the government getting one of key policies passed.
The Voice to Parliament referendum has been littered with a campaign of misinformation from the “No” side of the referendum. We uncover the outrageous claims being propagated, including the abolition of Australia Day and Anzac Day, compensation claims, reparations, and a push for Treaty, with many of these talking points have made their way into the discourse of Liberal Party politicians, such as Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley. We revisit our earlier prediction that fear-mongering would intensify as we approach October 14. The claims have become increasingly outlandish, leaving us pondering the eventual outcome of this misinformation campaign.
We also look at the revelations made by Liberal MP Karen Andrews about harassment within the party during Parliament question time. We contemplate the larger issue of gender dynamics in Australian politics and why speaking out about workplace harassment is more complicated than it may seem. There is a critical need for Parliament House to be a safe working environment for all, from staffers to parliamentarians, an issue highlighted by the independent member Kylea Tink, who highlights the urgency of systemic change.
COVID-19 seems like a hidden pandemic situation in Australia and we reflect on the stark contrast between the early days of the pandemic and the present, with daily case numbers averaging today just over 700, there are still many people dying from COVID-19 every week. Why have the effects of the pandemic being ignored? We explore the shift from community spread to hospital spread and the hidden risks associated with this development.
There’s also a current debate surrounding the role of journalists in the Australian media landscape. We question the trend of uncritically reporting opposition statements and the need for journalists to exercise judgment, discern newsworthiness, and hold those in power accountable.

In this episode, we delve into the latest happenings in Australian politics and society. Parliament has returned to Canberra, with industrial relations taking the spotlight. Changes for gig economy workers are on the horizon, promising better job security, fair pay, and safer workplaces. We explore the provisions for equal pay, criminalising wage theft, and setting minimum standards for penalty rates, superannuation, and insurance. But as with any political discussion, there are opposing voices, with employer groups and critics voicing concerns.
We also examine the curious case of Warren Mundine, the leader of the No campaign in the Voice To Parliament, potentially being installed as a Senator in NSW with the imminent departure of Senator Marise Payne. The dynamics of this situation, involving a moderate retiring senator and a conservative-leaning politician, are intriguing.
The departure of Alan Joyce as the CEO of Qantas is another topic of interest. We discuss the challenges facing the airline and its CEO’s legacy, which includes a substantial payout and leaving behind a successful airline corporation in ruins.
We address the broader question of why Australia appears hesitant to embrace change, particularly evident in discussions about the Voice to Parliament referendum and industrial relations reforms. Is it a fear rooted in history, conservatism, or something else entirely?
We also look at the Legalising Cannabis Bill, anti-poverty commission proposals, and challenges in Western Australia politics. Why do some positive social reforms struggle to gain traction, when they are so desperately needed?
Lastly, we analyse the latest opinion polls, highlighting shifts in public sentiment and the approval ratings of key political figures. Is it too early for the Labor government to be concerned about these numbers?
Join us as we dissect these pressing issues and strive to understand the currents shaping Australian politics and society.

Join us in this week’s episode as we dive into the latest political controversies and developments in Australia. First up, we discuss the concerning trend of politicians aligning with corporate interests, exemplified by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent fashion choice of a hi-viz vest with the Rio Tinto logo prominently displayed, a nice bit of product placement. We explore the implications of government officials wearing corporate logos and the importance of maintaining a clear separation between corporate interests and the government.
The date for the Voice to Parliament referendum has been announced – October 14 – a proposal that has been in the works for nearly a decade and holds significant implications for race relations and Reconciliation in Australia. This historic moment challenges the nation to truly commit to Reconciliation beyond mere rhetoric, and try to wade through the campaign of misinformation from the No case, which offers nothing except negativity, division, and a healthy dose of racism.
In addition, we look at the perennial issue of tax reform in Australian politics, exploring why meaningful change remains elusive (hint: politics gets in the way, but the government could always brush the dust off from the cover of the 2010 Henry Tax Review and implement all of its recommendations). We examine how political considerations often overshadow the need for effective revenue generation and the resulting inefficiencies in the tax system.
And, of course, we can’t ignore the recent 4 per cent pay rise for federal politicians, a topic that always seems to garner clear and consistent bipartisan support. We dissect the arguments for and against this pay increase and discuss the need for a more transparent system for assessing such salary adjustments.
Finally, we shine a spotlight on allegations of political favouritism in New South Wales, where the Transport Minister faces accusations of appointing a friend to a high-paying position within her portfolio. We explore the implications of such actions and the ongoing challenges of political behaviour in the state which has a long history of corruption within politics, the police force and the judiciary.

In this episode, we look at all the recent political events, media dynamics, and questions of political favouritism. Last weekend marked the end of the national Labor conference, the first from a Labor government since Julia Gillard’s tenure as Prime Minister. These conferences have long been criticised for their stage-managed nature and lack of open discussion but it does offer a chance to review the Labor Party Platform and offer members a chance to voice concerns on diverse issues, from AUKUS and nuclear weapons to asylum seekers, tax reform, and workers’ rights.
The conference held a surprise: a Labor Prime Minister supporting nuclear submarines. Who would have thought it 40 years ago! This development raises questions about the evolving stance of the Labor Party and Anthony Albanese’s statement about the preference of long-term governance stability over short-term implementation of policy. Gough Whitlam’s strategy was to “crash through or crash”, and that resulted in only three years in office but at least a lot was achieved. What’s better: a long-term in office implementing a slow pace of reform, or a shorter-term doing as many things as possible?
Interestingly, the Conservative Political Action Group held a conference simultaneously. This American-style event, now making its way to Australia, focuses on climate change denial, libertarianism, racism, and opposition to the Voice To Parliament proposal. It’s not true conservatism, it’s not true liberalism: just a culture of complaint that offers no solutions and just says “no” to everything.
Shifting to the economic sphere, notable corporate profits have been reported recently. While these profits benefit shareholders, not everyone owns shares, leaving a significant portion of the population without direct benefits. This disparity highlights the need for a balanced economic structure that benefits everyone.
In the political arena, controversies continue. Peter Dutton’s appearance on ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ sparked debates about politicians’ media presence, particularly his potential prime ministerial suitability: is a national television program the right place to announce that you’ve got post-traumatic stress disorder?
Ita Buttrose’s impending departure from the ABC chairperson role triggered expectations of changes in how the ABC presents news and politics. The ABC’s challenges trace back to the late 1990s, and as media landscapes evolve, the ABC’s role and structure must adapt accordingly.
Recent revelations involving Anthony Albanese’s son’s internship and a Qantas VIP pass prompted discussions on political ethics. Consistency in reporting these matters across parties and unbiased media coverage is crucial for maintaining public trust in the political system.

In this episode, we look into the ongoing discourse surrounding nuclear energy policy in Australia, tracing back to the Coalition’s push for nuclear power from opposition, and its incongruous approach to the issue while in government. We dissect statements from National Party leader David Littleproud and Peter Dutton, shedding light on their mutual political point-scoring tactics. We explore how this recurring topic is driven by vested interests and examine the feasibility of nuclear energy in Australia as repeatedly assessed by government reports and industry experts.
Do sport and politics mix? Of course, and we look at this intersection, focusing on the recent debate over a potential national holiday in the event of a Matildas World Cup victory. We scrutinise statements from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, uncovering how media framing can impact public perception. But it’s all moot: the Matildas are out of the tournament, which at least will keep the sad sack conservative anti-woke nihilists happy: can’t have a sports team supporting the Voice or same-sex marriage.
National Cabinet met during the week, and we detail recent decisions made, including the expansion of the National Housing Accord and the introduction of consistent rental rules. We address criticisms from the Australian Greens and explore their political motivations.
There’s also the media conniptions about branch stacking in Victoria, centred around Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio but, yet again, it’s another attempt by News Corporation to make it seem that Premier Daniel Andrews is a bad man, and a corrupt one as well. We assess the significance of these allegations in the political landscape and their portrayal in the media.
We also analyse recent opinion polling data, highlighting the Labor government's electoral strength, contrasting it with the falling approval ratings for Albanese and the correlation with the fall in support for the Voice. Is it time to drop the referendum and start all over again? Senator Lidia Thorpe thinks it is: it’s time for Treaty, truth-telling and reparations, but it’s impossible to implement these when there is so much resistance from the conservative side of politics and the mainstream media.

In this week’s episode, we delve into the latest developments and controversies in federal politics. The Voice to Parliament has consumed parliamentary discussions throughout the week, with Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton sowing seeds of division, contrasting with the recent goodwill exhibited at the Garma festival in Arnhem Land. The festival, a platform for cultural exchange, was a backdrop for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s call for Dutton’s participation, and Dutton’s negative response that raises serious questions about his leadership credentials.
His actions are solely geared towards securing his leadership position and catering to the ambitions of his party in the upcoming federal election but his reluctance to engage directly with Indigenous communities and preference for certain right-wing media outlets brings up concerns about his commitment to representing diverse interests – essential for a leader who wishes to become prime minister.
The Sofronoff report was released during the week, and it was meant to shed light on the mishandling of the trial of Bruce Lehrmann, exposing various missteps in the criminal justice system. From the involvement of Liberal Party Ministers to the Australian Federal Police’s actions, and the poor treatment of the complainant Brittany Higgins, we uncover a web of errors that has shaken public trust. The report seems more like a hit-job on Public Prosecutor Shane Drumgold, and the outcomes contained within the report led to his resignation. KC Walter Sofronoff’s communication with a News Corporation journalist and the subsequent report release added another layer of complexity to this ongoing saga, and we may need to hold another inquiry, into the inquiry.
We look into recent the media scrutiny surrounding politicians’ family members. The case of Nathan Albanese, the son of the Prime Minister, receiving a Qantas Chairman’s Lounge VIP has triggered discussions on the boundaries between politicians and their families. Drawing comparisons with past instances, we reflect on media portrayals of similar situations involving politicians from different parties – for example, there was little scrutiny when the Tony Abbott’s daughter became a brand ambassador for BMW, so why is there so much scrutiny on the son of a Labor prime minister?
We explore the television series “Kitchen Cabinet”, which blends culinary endeavours with political discussions, seeking to humanise politicians beyond their public personas. There have criticisms raised against the concept, questioning whether this attempt to present politicians in a personal light is necessary or if their actions in the political arena should speak for themselves. One episode from 2015 featured Scott Morrison preparing a Sri Lankan fish curry at a time when he turned back Sri Lankan asylum seekers, glossing over serious issues in favour of more light-hearted banter. Politicians should be judged on their political actions, not on whether they can cook up a curry or not, and “Kitchen Cabinet” is a reflection of the sad state of political coverage in Australia.

In this episode, we explore the pressing matters facing the Parliament this week. First up, the aftermath of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, its impact on the political landscape, and the responses from key figures such as former Prime Minister Scott Morrison – who is in state of denial over his role in this saga – and current Minister Leader Bill Shorten. We analyse the findings of the commission and the implications it may have for the government.
Another leader under pressure is the Liberal Party leader, Peter Dutton, as calls for a Royal Commission into immigration detention gain momentum. We discuss the recent revelations surrounding a major contract with a corrupt businessman and comments made by Dutton, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
We look at the latest environmental news, examining UNESCO’s decision to defer listing the Great Barrier Reef on the “in danger” list. While the Labor government’s efforts to address climate change and greenhouse emissions are acknowledged, there are concerns about the approval of coal mines and gas exploration licenses. Are these actions are enough to protect the environment adequately? No, there needs to be more action to reduce global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.
This episode also delves into the three-day Senate inquiry into sexual consent laws in Australia, its significance in reducing sexual violence against women, and the need for consistent laws across jurisdictions. But, as usual, more needs to be done.
Finally, we explore the potential impact of the Housing Australia Future Fund Bill on the political landscape and the likelihood of an early election and the historical context of double-dissolution elections in Australia. As much as the mainstream media is agitating for an early election, we just can’t see it happening any time soon.

Join us for an engaging and insightful episode of New Politics as we delve into some of the most pressing political and economic issues facing Australia today.
In the spotlight is Peter Dutton, the leader of the Liberal Party, who finds himself entangled in a web of questions surrounding his knowledge of contracts for offshore processing services in Nauru, made with a businessman who was convicted of corruption and bribery. We’ll trace back to Dutton’s time as Minister for Home Affairs – it’s alleged the Australian Federal Police briefed him about an investigation into the businessman’s possible corruption yet, despite this knowledge, the Department of Home Affairs proceeded to enter into contracts with the businessman’s company, Radiance International. We look at the implications of this controversial decision and why Peter Dutton needs to address these very concerning events.
We also analyse Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ announcement of the first-ever wellbeing budget. Termed the Measuring What Matters national wellbeing framework, this budget promises a new perspective on economic decisions. We’ll explore how this budget links national finances to the social wellbeing of the community, challenging the conventional focus on abstract concepts like a budget surplus or deficit. However, not everyone is on board with this innovative approach, as critics, including the usual suspects News Corporation and Sky News, seek to discredit the wellbeing budget. Discover why this framework has received both praise and skepticism from different quarters of society.
The CFMEU has put forward a bold proposal to fund public and affordable housing through a tax on corporate super profits. Zach Smith, the secretary of the CFMEU, unveiled this campaign at the National Press Club, outlining how a permanent 40% tax on excess profits could generate a substantial $29 billion annually. This significant revenue could then be used to build 53,000 new homes each year, contributing to addressing the estimated shortfall of 750,000 homes by 2041. We’ll contrast this with the Labor government’s housing proposal, which pales in comparison and has been met with criticism for its lack of ambition. We also examine the history of the resource super profit tax and why it failed to achieve its potential in the past.
Of course, there’s political implications and opposition surrounding the super profit tax proposal, and we look at Bill Shorten’s stance against considering a super profit tax and the potential media and Coalition backlash – there are merits and drawbacks of such a tax but it could be a game-changer for funding various public projects.

In this action-packed episode, first, we look at the aftermath of the Fadden byelection. Although it may seem like business as usual for some, we look into the federal implications and significance of the result in this conservative seat of Gold Coast (hint: there are not many implications). The mainstream media has depicted this as a massive win for Peter Dutton and the negative impact it has had on the Labor Party – also supposedly ending Anthony Albanese’s political honeymoon – even though the opinions polls are showing the opposite: the Labor government is still way ahead of the Liberal and National parties.
Next, we shine a spotlight on one of the Big 4 consultancy firms, Deloitte, which is under scrutiny for conflicts of interest and misuse of government information during federal government consultancies. Drawing connections with previous breaches by PwC, we explore the revelations unveiled through Senate Estimates, thanks to the meticulous questioning by Australian Greens Senator Barbara Pocock and Labor Senator Deborah O’Neil. We also look at the calls for stronger legislation and even a potential Royal Commission into government outsourcing, given the staggering sums involved in federal government outsourcing – $21 billion.
We then turn our attention to sport and the recent decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. The reasons behind this move by Premier Daniel Andrews relate to major cost blowouts and dwindling public interest in the Commonwealth Games – certainly, this is not good news for professional athletes, but if the cost is becoming unaffordable, it’s best to cancel the games. This is what the conservative media had been calling for – cancelling the games – but now the games have been cancelled, they’re attacking the Victoria government for doing exactly what they asked for. Duplicity!
We also look into the contentious issue of government funding for private schools versus public schools and the alarming revelation that government funding for private schools has doubled over the past decade, resulting in one of the least equitable schooling systems among OECD countries. We discuss the historical context and the neoliberal kick-start provided by the Howard government in 1996, under the banner of ‘choice’ for parents – when effectively, the choice was just a grant illusion – emphasising the need for reform to achieve a fairer distribution of public funds in the education sector.
We then analyse the latest opinion polls and unravel the contrasting interpretations offered by conservative media outlets versus the actual poll numbers. We provide a nuanced analysis of the polls, which show support for the Labor government remaining steady – or increasing – debunking claims of a waning honeymoon for the Prime Minister and the Labor Party.
Lastly, we examine of the Voice to Parliament campaign’s decline in support. Drawing parallels with the 1999 Republic referendum, we explore the patterns of shifting public opinion and the challenges faced in sustaining momentum for such initiatives. We also look at the complexities of controlling political agendas and the role of prominent conservative figures like Senator Jacinta Price, Warren Mundine, and Peter Dutton in shaping the negative campaign’s narrative.

In this episode, we delve into the ongoing fallout from the Robodebt Royal Commission report. Despite waning media interest, the problem persists, and the call for former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s resignation from Parliament grows louder. However, removing Morrison from politics won’t solve everything; other ministers involved, such as Stuart Robert, Alan Tudge, and Christian Porter, might face repercussions as well. Moreover, there are concerns about other Coalition Cabinet ministers and certain members of the public service implicated in the scandal.

Shifting our focus to international affairs, we discuss Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s attendance at the crucial NATO Summit in Lithuania. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, both Ukraine and Sweden express their desire to join NATO. Although Australia is not a member, there have been talks of potential expansion into Asia – former Prime Minister Paul Keating has criticised this idea, warning against importing European militarism to the region.

Turning closer to home, we examine the campaign of misinformation surrounding the federal government’s Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill. Sky News and News Corporation have launched a campaign against it, employing misinformation to sway public opinion. Unsurprisingly, the Liberal Party aligns with this opposition, as their interests align with spreading falsehoods. The effectiveness of the Bill in combating misinformation through media platforms remains uncertain, but action is necessary.

We also touch upon the upcoming byelection in Fadden and the lack of interest surrounding it. Unlike the Aston byelection, which garnered significant media attention, Fadden seems to have a subdued atmosphere. Both sides of politics manage expectations, with Peter Dutton suggesting the Liberal–National Party will lose ground while the Labor Party claims they have no chance of winning. This cautious positioning allows for easier explanations regardless of the outcome.

And finally, Philip Lowe will not be reappointed as the Reserve Bank Governor. Michelle Bullock, currently the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank and with the Bank since 1984, will take up the position in September, becoming the first woman to hold the job.

Join us as we explore these topics, unravel the complexities, and provide insights into the latest developments shaping Australia's political landscape.

In this podcast episode, the National Anti Corruption Commission has finally opened its doors and already received 44 referrals regarding potential corruption cases, most of which will involve the former Morrison government: secret ministries, questionable land deals, non-existent reports by Barnaby Joyce, Angus Taylor – land, water and forgeries – Bridget McKenzie, Michaelia Cash, Alan Tudge, Linda Reynolds, and Stuart Robert – just to name a few. The new Commission is spoiled for choice, and expected to be busy for a very long time.

The Robodebt Royal Commission report was released, consisting of 990 pages and 57 recommendations – and a ‘sealed section’ containing referrals for civil and criminal prosecution, which will go to the new National Anti Corruption Commission. The report vindicates those affected by the Robodebt system and highlights the failures of the system over the past five years. It was a scandalous program and should never have been implemented.

There is also a significant focus on interest rates, with speculation and debates about their impact on the Australian economy. The Reserve Bank decided to leave interest rates at 4.1%, raising questions about the political motivations behind the decision. And, as usual, the Liberal Party claims credit for the stable rates – even though they’ve been out of office for 14 months – while criticising Labor when rates go up. They can’t have it both ways.

The Voice To Parliament campaigns continue, with misinformation, lies, and racism characterising the “no” campaign. Peter Dutton, one of the most nefarious leaders ever of the Liberal Party, faces a crucial byelection in the Queensland seat of Fadden. A poor performance in the byelection may result in the end of Dutton’s leadership so, of course, he has made outrageous claims, attacked mining companies and retailers supporting the Voice to Parliament campaign, and criticised Anthony Albanese and the Labor government for their focus on the issue. Apparently, it’s also the cause of the rise of the price of milk.

These naysayers are hard on the ears, with all of their outrageous lies, racism and misinformation. If only they could sit down, shut up, and listen to Indigenous Affairs minister, Linda Burney, who provided one of the all-time great speeches at the National Press Club.

In this episode, we look at the release of findings by the NSW ICAC regarding former Premier Gladys Berejiklian and former NSW MP, Daryl Maguire. The ICAC found both individuals engaged in serious corruption, with Berejiklian breaching public trust by supporting a grant to the Australian Clay Target Association and the construction of a hall for the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. While it was recommended that charges be laid against Maguire, no charges were recommended against Berejiklian. The findings come after criticism from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the former NSW Coalition government. The media’s portrayal of Berejiklian as a “victim of a bad relationship” has been challenged, and the delayed release of the findings has also sparked an outrage.

The war in Ukraine and recent events in Russia: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner paramilitary force, instigated an insurrection in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, before surrendering his weapons and seeking exile in Belarus through a deal with President Alexander Lukashenko. The potential implications of this event, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and its potential to spread to Russia, pose serious risks for Europe and the rest of the world. However, Australian media coverage of these events has been lacking, leading people to seek information through alternative channels such as Twitter, Reddit, CNN, or Al Jazeera.

The former Labor leader Simon Crean died during the week, and is remembered as one of the more decent figures in federal politics, received tributes from all sides of the political spectrum. Although his tenure as Labor leader from 2001 to 2003 was not marked by strong public support or success in opinion polls, Crean made significant reforms within the Labor Party to make it more democratic and less dominated by union bureaucrats. His memorable speech opposing the Iraq war showcased his courage and foresight, ultimately vindicating his position.

We also look at recent opinion polling – the two-party preferred voting figures, which remain relatively stable with Labor at 54% and the Coalition at 46%. However, of particular concern for the federal government is the decline in the percentage of people who believe Australia is heading in the right direction. Over the course of a year, the figure dropped from 48% to 33%, while the number of people expressing that the country is going in the wrong direction increased from 27% to 47%. This shift in public opinion could have implications for the government's popularity and electoral prospects.

In this episode, we explore the Housing Australia Future Fund legislation, which has been delayed in the Senate by the Australian Greens and the Liberal Party, despite the pressing national housing crisis. We discuss the implications and the justifiability of this delay in addressing the urgent issue.

We look at the approved Referendum for a Voice to Parliament legislation, highlighting the significance of this milestone in a historically challenging journey. We analyse the controversial decision of Senator Lidia Thorpe to campaign against the Voice to Parliament, forming an unexpected alliance with the Liberal Party, the National Party, and One Nation. We explore the reasons behind this collaboration and the debate surrounding the adequacy of the proposed legislation.

Peter Dutton is undergoing an image makeover and, like many leaders before him, seeks to present a more appealing persona to the electorate. We dissect the strategies employed by political leaders to shape public perception, but it might be lost cause for Dutton, who doesn’t appear to have to much time available to him, to turn these perceptions around.

Next, we turn our attention to Senator Jackie Lambie, who has taken the bold step of referring the Australian Defence Force to the International Criminal Court over their actions in Afghanistan. We discuss the lack of accountability for the killing of 39 Afghan civilians by Australian special forces and the importance of shedding light on such incidents, and examine the delicate balance between government-military relations and the need for transparency in addressing war crimes.

The Reserve Bank’s recent announcement of their strategy to reduce inflation by increasing the unemployment rate, has drawn strong criticism. We evaluate the neoliberal economic theory behind this tactic, which relies on higher unemployment to create job market competition and suppress wages. We question the sustainability and societal impact of such measures and propose alternative economic models for consideration.

Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of politics, shedding light on the critical issues at hand and exploring the potential solutions: a thought-provoking episode that aims to unravel the layers of drama and decision-making in the realm of federal politics! #auspol #VoiceToParliament

We should never underestimate the lengths to which the Liberal Party will go, or how low they will stoop, in order to gain a political advantage. This was evident in one of the most distressing weeks in federal Parliament in a long time: they exploited their own act of covering up allegations of sexual assault in Parliament House in 2019 and attempted to shift the blame onto Senator Katy Gallagher, accusing her of misleading Parliament during a Senate hearing. The real issue here is the mistreatment of a woman – Brittany Higgins – who was sexually assaulted, and the Liberal Party has decided that they cannot go low enough to seek advantage. However, the Liberal Party’s tactics backfired, and by the end of the week, the focus was on Liberal Party Senator David Van, who faced allegations of sexual harassment and assault by several women Senators and was subsequently asked to resign from Parliament.

We also address the issue of housing affordability in Australia and speak with Cathy Callaghan, senior policy officer at Shelter NSW, who provides an overview of the various aspects of housing policy that need attention in order to achieve a sustainable and equitable housing sector in the future. Housing has been neglected by successive governments over the past 30 years, with social and public housing largely left to the private sector, which is a significant reason why we are facing the problems we have today. Resolving these issues requires substantial effort and focus by government.

Lastly, we examine the opinion polls regarding the Voice to Parliament initiative. While some polls suggest a decline in support for the initiative, others indicate that support remains around 60 per vent, creating a confusing picture. The Voice to Parliament is an important aspiration for First Nations people in Australia, but the debate surrounding the referendum has become toxic, with conservative groups disseminating misinformation to undermine its success. Beneath these layers of deception, the underlying reason for this strategy is a disturbing undercurrent of racism that is becoming more overt and brazen.

In this episode, we delve into the significant events that have unfolded in the political landscape during the week. We start with the explosive findings from the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case, which confirmed the truth behind shocking allegations, including civilian murders in Afghanistan and disturbing behaviour towards a woman.

Shining a light on government actions, we discuss revelations of the former Morrison government misspending $2 billion in health funding programs, exposing a pattern of poor guidelines and politically motivated grants. These unethical practices continue to provide material for the National Anti-Corruption Commission, adding to the Morrison government’s list of possibly illegal behavior.

Another major development is the official interest rate rise, reaching the highest rate since 2012. Amidst the blame game, we explore various factors contributing to this economic challenge and emphasise the government’s responsibility to address the problem.

In Western Australia, we highlight the controversial decision to award Gina Rinehart as Western Australian of the Year, questioning the selection criteria that favour wealthy businesspeople over community champions and unsung heroes.

Our attention then shifts to the ongoing push for an inquiry into the Murdoch media empire in Australia, a long-overdue inquiry to examine the influence of News Corporation, which we believe has become a cancerous force in the media and political landscape.

To provide insight, we interview Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who shares her perspective on an inquiry and its potential to improve media behaviour in Australia.

Finally, we address the contentious issue of growing HECS debts, a scheme implemented in 1990. We explore the impact of increased inflation rates on HECS debts, and the need for fundamental reform of the university and higher education sector, highlighting the broader community benefits that education brings.

In this episode, we discuss the recent resignation of Mark McGowan as Premier of Western Australia; examine the controversy surrounding PwC’s leak of secret information from the Australian Taxation Office; and delve into the issue of conservative attacks and takeover of the Voice to Parliament.

Mark McGowan, has stepped down as the Premier of Western Australia after six years in office. Citing exhaustion and a lack of energy to effectively continue in his role, McGowan concluded his resignation speech, marking the end of an influential and highly successful career.

The a prominent consulting firm PwC – one of the ‘Big Four’ – has faced intense scrutiny for leaking confidential information from the Australian Taxation Office to its international clients, revealing plans by the Australian Government regarding multinational corporations tax and corporate law changes. There are suggestions that the released information represents just the tip of the iceberg, with other consulting firms likely to be implicated. This situation raises significant concerns about government outsourcing, particularly given the staggering $21 billion spent on consultants and outsourcing in the final year of the previous Coalition government. This figure is equivalent to 54,000 full-time staff or 37 per cent of the entire federal government public service. While the current Labor government aims to reduce this spending, the existence of ongoing contracts and the need for specific expertise pose challenges in immediate reduction.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been actively promoting the Voice to Parliament: during his speech in Adelaide, he emphasised the potential of the Voice the Parliament as a moment of national idealism, and an opportunity to surpass the achievements of the 1967 referendum. However, there is a major difference between the 1967 referendum and the Voice to Parliament. The Liberal Party’s nature has evolved from a liberal stance in the 1960s to a more reactionary conservative party today and mobilising fear, loathing, and hatred is easier now than in the past, and it was always inevitable that the federal Liberal Party was not going to support the Voice to Parliament – they declared their support for the “no” campaign, even before the legislation reached Parliament.

The Liberal Party misrepresents information, spreads lies, and continuously demands more details: they accuse Anthony Albanese of being secretive about the Voice to Parliament, attempting to cultivate a racist vote across Australia. These bad faith actors show no intention of supporting positive change for Indigenous Australia, despite having had nine years to address the very issues they complain about.

While some have criticised Albanese for lacking courage and being slow in implementing reforms, these criticisms should not apply to the Voice to Parliament. It aligns precisely with the demands of Indigenous people. Indigenous issues do not garner significant electoral support in Australian politics, and the Labor government will possibly lose votes on the Voice to Parliament. But, it’s the right thing to do. Despite this, it just highlights the difficulty of convincing the rest of Australia to support initiatives that positively affect Indigenous people amidst conservative antagonism. #auspol #VoiceToParliament

In this episode, we delve into the persistent issue of racism in the media, particularly focusing on the recent departure of ABC journalist Stan Grant. Grant faced a barrage of racist abuse after his presentation on the effects of colonisation during the ABC’s coronation broadcast. This incident is not an isolated one, as individuals from diverse backgrounds, including people of colour, women, and migrants, often endure abuse and racism in the media and politics. News Corporation and Rupert Murdoch, known for amplifying racism in the media, have been implicated in the attacks against Grant, reminiscent of their actions against Adam Goodes in the AFL, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the ‘African Gangs’ agenda back in 2018.

The media industry as a whole is criticised for its lack of diversity, with most outlets being predominantly white and middle-class. While some media organisations pay lip service to addressing these issues, others, like News Corporation, display outright hostility. Social media platforms also contribute to the problem. Despite discussions about the need for change and improvement, little action has been taken to rectify the situation. Whether the media reflects broader society or merely perpetuates its own biases remains a contentious question, but it is clear that without implementing meaningful changes, the situation will remain unchanged.

We also focus on the ongoing case of Julian Assange – Stella Assange, a human rights defender has been advocating for his release. Julian Assange has been imprisoned in London’s Belmarsh Prison since 2019 and despite extensive diplomatic efforts by both the Coalition and Labor governments, it has become evident that soft diplomacy alone will not secure his freedom. Forty-eight Australian MPs and Senators, as well as media associations worldwide, have called for an end to Assange’s pursuit and his release. The continued incarceration of Assange serves no real purpose.

We explore the recent meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen trade ties between the two countries and discuss the development of a green hydrogen program and had been scheduled as part of the cancelled Quad meeting. The Australia–India relationship holds significant importance due to the large population of Indian heritage in Australia and India’s projected economic growth. However, just as human rights concerns are raised regarding China, a similar discussion needs to take place regarding India. Modi, a popular and nationalistic leader, enjoys considerable support among the Indian community in Australia but it is essential that these issues are raised.

Lastly, we touch upon the ongoing discussion surrounding the Voice To Parliament initiative. Despite being in opposition, figures such as Peter Dutton, Sussan Ley, and David Littleproud continue to receive media platforms as if they were part of the government. This raises concerns about the impartiality and balance in media coverage.

In this episode: we look at the first year of the federal Labor government; what can be done about the many housing issues across Australia?; the latest opinion polls; and the last Liberal government in the village is in a lot of trouble.

The Labor government has been in office for a year and there are suggestions that it’s the best first year of government since Bob Hawke’s first year between 1983–84. When Labor won the election in May 2022, they promised eight key priorities for government, which they’ve made substantial work in – except for climate change policy – but being in government isn't just all about achieving the promises – there's unexpected issues that have to be dealt with – inflation issues, cost of living pressures, energy prices – and these have caused political problems for the government. There’s still far to go with many of these issues, especially on climate change policy and economic reform but it’s been a year that the Labor government would be quite satisfied with.

Housing is becoming a big issue in federal politics and the issue is right across the board – cost of housing, mortgages, rents at a time of the tightest rental market in history. Many people are homeless, and there’s not enough social housing. There have been calls for the federal government to do a lot more than what they’re doing at the moment – although most of the government’s around Australia are Labor at the moment, each state and territory government has its own housing policies, with different political pressures and vested interests in each of those states and territories. There are many solutions available but defining the problem is the key issue – housing has been at the whim of governments doing whatever they need to do to get a political advantage out of it and there needs to be an overarching direction coming in from the federal government.

There were three opinion polls during the week, all showing strong support for both the Prime Minister and the Labor government. While there was polling suggesting disappointment with the budget for not doing as much as it could have, the Labor government has increased its support in opinion polls. But politics can change very quickly: the Rudd government was in a very similar position a year into its term – 55–45% in two-party preferred voting – and at the time, the opposition was in a complete mess under the leadership of Brendan Nelson and then Malcolm Turnbull. But 18 months later, Rudd was gone as prime minister and the Liberal Party almost won the 2010 federal election under Tony Abbott. It’s good times for the Labor government at the moment but those good times won’t last forever.

There’s always unexpected problems for any government and the last Liberal government in Australia has lost its majority and it’s now governing in minority, due to two Liberal MPs resigning in protest over a AFL stadium deal in Hobart, due to cost $715 million – at a time when Tasmania is facing extreme housing shortages and homelessness. The Tasmanian Liberal government seemed to be in a relatively secure place. In the 2021 Tasmania election – the only election won by the Liberal Party since 2019 – they received 49% of the vote, to 28% for the Labor Party and 20% to the Tasmania Greens. But they only had a bare majority of one seat – 13 of the 25 seats – and with the loss of those two Liberal MPs, they’re in minority now. It’s not looking very good for the last Liberal government in Australia. The big lesson for the federal government and the Prime Minister is that a secure government can become very insecure, very quickly and is always just one or two bad decisions from a self-made disaster. #auspol #Newspoll

In this episode: the Budget 2023 announcement and our expert analysis… are CEOs in Australia paid too much? We speak to Rebecca Bachmann about this issue … and when there's a Budget, there's also a Budget Reply, we look at what the Opposition has got to say about it.

The Budget was released by the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and Budgets always contain a strong political dimension that goes way past any balance sheets and figures that exist on the Budget pages. This Budget is a combination of the Labor government doing what they said that they would do during the 2022 federal election campaign: a cautious approach – probably being a little bit far too cautious – but they’ve directed funding towards some of those areas that were causing political problems – the single parent payment has been continued from when the youngest child turns eight to when the youngest child turns 14. Jobseeker payments have been increased by $20 per week – better than nothing, but it’s still short of what's needed. The Budget is also notable for what’s not in there: there was meant to be a greater source of revenue for mining and there was a substantial increase in iron ore revenues over the last year. The petroleum resources, rent tax was meant to have been improved substantially but it’s only going to raise $2.4 billion over the next four years. But the biggest political aspect of the budget is a predicted $4 billion surplus. It’s cold comfort for the people at the lower end of the scale, who were hoping to receive more support. Despite these issues, it is a Budget that offers a good starting point for the future, rather than offering any substantial reform.

The CEO of Qantas Alan Joyce will leave his position in November, and during his 15 year term, he's earned over $125 million, while Qantas made cumulative losses of $1.9 billion. There is a perception that CEOs in Australia are overpaid, and especially at a time when wages have stagnated over the past decade. In the case of Qantas, there's been an attack on workplace rights – they sacked 6,000 workers in 2020; it also grounded its entire fleet in 2011, and service quality has deteriorated over the past three years. Joyce hasn’t represented value for money for Qantas and is it the case where CEOs in Australia are being overpaid? Dr. Rebecca Bachmann from Macquarie University outlines some of the issues surrounding transparency and remunerations.

There was also a Budget reply from the Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, which didn’t seem to have much to say except for a continuation of the Morrison–Abbott–Howard philosophy of lower taxes, lower immigration, small government, complaining about the Labor government not being able to deliver surpluses in the future – despite the fact that a surplus has just been delivered. It’s a message for the electorate of yesteryear, and the world has moved on.

In this episode: will he stay, or will he go? The future of Scott Morrison in Parliament; the company a prime minister should keep; forget about the Coronation, the move to a republic needs to start now; and how soon before we see a new major political party in Australia?

The former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is on the verge of leaving politics – or so we're told. We’re heard this story before, so it’s a never-ending speculation. Morrison has been linked to “a number” of defence corporations in Britain, keen to employ him in an AUKUS-related position, but there are no names attached to the sources, so the source of these reports could actually be Morrison himself. There are many people who would like Morrison to leave Parliament as soon as possible and never be heard of again but it also brings up the question of the working life of ministers after they leave Parliament, and whether it's in Australia's national interest.

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the wedding of Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston and resulted in a few protests, mainly along partisan lines. Kyle Sandilands is one of the most offensive people on radio but being the prime minister is about trying to appeal to as many people as possible. Sandilands does have a massive audience – the ‘Kyle and Jackie O Show’ is the leading morning program in Sydney with almost 200,000 listeners every day, so being on good terms with a major media personality does have its political benefits for the Prime Minister even if it’s probably more to the benefit of Sandilands, rather than Albanese.

There doesn't seem to be too much interest in the UK Coronation event so far: the Prime Minister is already in London and has met the King, and he'll be attending the Coronation – it would have been more appropriate for the Governor–General to attend. Of course, a republican Prime Minister of Australia needs to be polite and say the right words, but the sooner the country gives a Scottish-styled response to the Royal Family and moves towards a republic, the better.

The idea of politics of the centre-right going through a reformation is starting to take hold, with more academic material being published about this concept. The last time this happened was with the formation of the Liberal Party in 1944 – it is far easier to work with what you've got, and it has to be remembered that there were suggestions after the Labor Party lost their fourth consecutive federal election in 2004, it should disband and reform in a totally different way – only for the party to go on and win the 2007 federal election. A political party can never be written off but if the creation of a new major political party is ever going to happen, this is the most favourable time.

In this episode: a boost in military spending, but what does it mean for funding of other important areas; The Dominion case in the United States is the beginning of the end of News Corporation; And the continuing federal “No-alition”: is it a recipe for success or a disaster in the making?

ANZAC Day was held this week and what better way to commemorate this than the federal government announcing an extra $19 billion as part of the review of the Australian Defence Force. The military industry is like a beast that keeps needing to be fed: there will also be an additional $42 billion spent on defence over the next decade, and it’s an area that rarely receives the same cutbacks that apply to virtually every other sector in the community – all the defence department has to do in Australia is ramp up the fear on China and every dollar that they ask for will be given. National security and defence spending are important issues that every country in the world needs to consider and take on seriously but, sometimes in Australia, these matters force every other issue onto the backburner.

There’s two defamation cases concerning News Corporation – they've had different outcomes, but have a similar message: News Corporation is a diminishing influence and overstretched itself as a right wing propaganda unit and is now paying the price. In the United States, News Corporation settled a defamation case with Dominion Voting Systems for $US797 million – a quarter of its cash reserves – and it’s a punishment for spreading the lies about the 2020 presidential election being rigged and stolen from President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. In Australia, Lachlan Murdoch has dropped his defamation case against Crikey News, claiming that he didn't want to give Crikey any more publicity. Up until recently, News Corporation would have doubled down, poured more money into litigation costs and defending itself. But this time, it has given up without much of a fight. This is a humiliation of one of the biggest news media companies in history and it could also be the beginning of the end of News Corporation as well.

A Newspoll was released last week and, as predicted, the news is getting worse for the Coalition, with a confirmation of the poor standing of the Coalition and the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton. This can provide an opportunity for change for a political party to understand that everything is not currently working, and doing politics differently might be a better option. But the Liberal Party is not for changing and hasn’t understood that opposition for the sake of opposition doesn't work anymore. And with a change in demographics and voting patterns, they might be out of office for a long time. This change isn’t good news for the Labor Party either, and there are suggestions that this could be the last majority government – from either side of government – and the future will be based around coalitions of common political interests.

In this episode: rebooting the National Disability Insurance Scheme; the build-up to the federal Budget; and the latest opinion polls – good news for the Prime Minister; bad news for the Opposition leader.

There’s been a build-up to the Budget which will be announced on 9 May, it’s at the final stages of development and still working out what will be palatable at this point of the political cycle, and what’s in the interests of the Australian community and the economy.

There’s a wide range of budget issues coming into focus – the cost of the AUKUS deal with the United States and Britain; the amount allocated towards social housing; and there’s also the debate about whether the Stage 3 tax cuts should proceed, even though they won’t commence until 1 July 2024 – there’s also the cost of Medicare and raising the rate of Jobseeker payments – a standard ‘bread and butter’ Labor issue that many in the community are finding it difficult to understand why the government is being so recalcitrant about.

The focus of attention of the week has been on the NDIS, which Bill Shorten promises to reboot and reform after the previous Coalition government mismanaged the program during its term in office. It is a costly program, but it’s an essential program – but the Budget announcement will confirm if the dollars are going to be matched up with the rhetoric.

There are new opinion polls, and they provide bad news for Peter Dutton, and good news for the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Sometimes, a prime minister can be made to look good because of a weak opposition leader – but the flipside is that an Opposition can be made to look even worse because of a competent government – in this case, it’s probably a combination of the two – but despite all attempts by the mainstream media to boost his stocks, the polling for Dutton has reached his lowest level, and it just keeps getting worse and worse for the Liberal Party.

In this episode, another resignation in the Liberal Party, and are there more to follow? And the cost blowout in the Inland Rail Project is yet another example of why Barnaby Joyce should leave politics.

After a short and sustained period of criticism about his role in the Liberal Party's leadership ‘no’ vote for the Voice to Parliament. Julian Leeser has resigned from Shadow Cabinet and has now said that he will campaign for the ‘yes’ case. This will place more pressure on the leadership of Peter Dutton and add to the debate about the future of the Liberal Party. But Lesser said he wants to make amendments to what has already been proposed in the referendum; he also didn’t end up repudiating any of Dutton's claims that the Voice to Parliament will end up costing billions of dollars to implement and it will grind the government to a halt, so it’s difficult to discern – at this stage – what Leeser’s true motivations are.

When he became the leader of the Liberal Party, Dutton said his job after the 2022 federal election loss was “to unite the Liberal Party”, but with MPs resigning from Shadow Cabinet, former Liberal Party MPs resigning from the party, and backbenchers speaking out, it’s far from a united party and it’s a political mess that keeps being pulled down by internal conservative forces.

It was also revealed during the week that the cost of the Inland Rail Project has doubled within two years and has increased from $16 billion, up to $31 billion. The Inland Rail Project commenced in 2018 and is proposed to operate between Brisbane and Melbourne and was one of Barnaby Joyce’s pet projects when he was the deputy prime minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. There were also claims that he was trying to fasts-track this Inland Rail Project and change the path of the project so it would run closer to the land that he owns near Narrabri – 1,000 hectares of land, which no one in their right mind would buy unless they knew of a future government project that was in development. Where there’s corruption – or alleged corruption – Joyce is never too far behind, and his time in politics should be close to an end.

In this episode: the result of the Aston byelection – was it a big Labor victory or a bad loss for the Liberal Party?… and celebrating the life of Yunupingu: he was a great man of Australian political life. The work on the Voice to Parliament will continue, despite the best efforts of the small men of the Liberal and National parties to derail it.

The Aston byelection resulted in either a big win for the Labor Party or a big loss for the Liberal Party, depending on which perspective people wish to choose. Most of the analysis during the week has been on what went wrong for the Liberal Party, but the focus should be on what the Labor Party did right to win the seat. Byelections have many political issues that can be read into them – most of this analysis tends to be wrong – but the result in Aston seems like it’s an accurate reflection on what’s happening in federal politics at the moment: good news for the Labor government; bad news for the Liberal Party.

Yunupingu died during the week, campaigner for Indigenous land rights for most of his life. He first came to prominence with the Gove Land Rights case in 1971, which gave rise to the Woodward Royal Commission, the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, which in turn gave rise to the Mabo decision in 1992. Yunupingu was a highly respected member of the Australian community. His legacy on reconciliation, treaty, Voice to Parliament, land rights: he created the signposts for the where Australia needs to go on these issues – there’s still some way to go on this – but Australia will finally get there, despite offensive opportunism of Peter Dutton and the Liberal–National Coalition: the small men of Australian politics.

In this episode: a wrap up of the New South Wales election from last weekend, with the NSW Coalition ending their 12 years in office and the start of a NSW Labor government; the case against whistleblower Richard Boyle continues, but it needs to stop; the federal government social housing policy has stalled in Parliament; a new inquiry into the Freedom of Information system; and predictions for what might happen in the Aston byelection.

There was a change of government in New South Wales last weekend and of the nine jurisdictions across Australia, there's only one Liberal Party government. Former Prime Minister John Howard suggested it's just a matter of time before the Liberal Party returns as a political force, but there are some very big long-term problems for the party, and not just in New South Wales.

The case against whistleblower Richard Boyle is proceeding after the judge in the case decided that he's not immune from prosecution and the case should now proceed. The Labor government promised to clean up the whistleblower legislation and they still haven't done that. The Attorney–General Mark Dreyfus needs to act now and stop this case from going ahead any further.

The Labor government’s social housing policy is on the backburner – it’s only 30,000 properties across Australia, it’s not enough and the Greens cannot support it. Jim Chalmers did suggest that it would offer a boost to the economy as well as address a serious housing supply issue but it doesn't look like it's going to be the panacea that he suggested. And this is the time to do this properly.

The Australian Greens, the crossbench and the Coalition have created an inquiry into the Freedom of Information system – the Coalition virtually destroyed when they were in office and it’s a system that does need to be cleaned up.

The Aston byelection on Saturday could be Peter Dutton’s last stand. Historically, it's a seat the Liberal Party should hold – they’ve held it for over 30 years. But when you look at much of the evidence at the moment, it's also a seat that Labor should win. There's a 2.8 per cent margin, the Liberal Party in Victoria is in disarray. And it's not looking very good for the Liberal Party who might be looking for a new leader after Saturday night.

In this episode: the week in federal politics; the AUKUS deal; the Voice to Parliament; and the safeguard mechanism for emissions control. The anti-trans agitators and Nazis getting an unwelcome reception all across Australia. And a final look at the New South Wales State election.

Federal Parliament returned this week: There were the remnants of the AUKUS debate from last week, where after the complete support provider to the deal by the media, there have been more voices calling for more scrutiny on AUKUS, how much it's going to cost and what it actually means. And this is on the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, which was based on weapons of mass destruction that were never found. The lesson is: on national security, never believe what the government is telling the public and it’s best to get a second opinion.

Neo-Nazis had been causing trouble again and this time it was the Nationalist Socialist Network who teamed up with the anti-trans rally organised by Moira Deeming, and Kellie Jay Keen-Minshull, who also goes by the name of “Posie Parker”. “Posie Parker” is a repulsive person and after mixing with the neo-Nazis in Melbourne, she went down to Hobart to organise another rally but was quickly shut down and hounded out of Tasmania. There’s no place for this kind of bigotry.

Election day in New South Wales election and it hasn't captured the imagination of the public – and who is to blame for this is hard to say, whether it's the inane coverage by the media or whether it's because of the relative performances of the two main sides of politics. NSW Labor does have to win 11 additional seats to win a majority government – the Liberal–National Coalition is governing in a minority position and has to win two seats to form a majority. That's unlikely to happen. The more likely outcome is a Labor government in a minority position, but with a good chance of winning a majority. The NSW Government does deserve to be dismissed but it might also be a case where NSW Labor hasn't done enough to convince the electorate that it needs to be returned to office.

In this episode, we look at the AUKUS deal and what it means for Australia. It looks like it’s a bad deal, so why did Albanese agree to it? It’s complicated.

Paul Keating also attacked this AUKUS deal – and we things he’s right – but instead of looking at the merit of what he had to say, the mainstream media decided that Keating was impolite to journalists. So, he can’t be taken seriously. Wow, these journalists are so upper-class, they don’t know what’s good for them: let them eat cake and we say – all the way with PJK.

And we've been asked the question: why did the mainstream media avoid the Robodebt Royal Commission? Again, the answer to this is complex: dwindling advertising revenues, news editors and journalists who come from the upper echelons of society, so receiving a social security payment – or being forced to pay it back – is a totally foreign experience for them. That’s the long-term effect of journalism courses around Australia becoming stacked with graduates from private schools.

And more corruption in New South Wales, this time there’s a recording of former NSW National Party leader John Barilaro bragging about his pork-barrelling adventures back in 2021. If only there was a decent mainstream media that has the courage to reveal these details on the eve of a NSW state election instead of delivering silence. If only…

In this episode… we look at the week in federal politics: the Liberal Party is in contortions over a tatty flag on top of Australian Parliament House (the important things) and wants to repeal the government’s popular superannuation tax – in the unlikely event it returns to government in the near future.

Malcolm Turnbull appears at the Robodebt Royal Commission – with the same level of collective amnesia which afflicted many other witnesses – and there are also calls for Katherine Campbell to be sacked from the public service.

A call for the takeover of Liberal Party branches by right-wing Christian groups needs to be resisted, otherwise that will be the end of the party.

International Women’s Day didn’t have the dramas from the time of Scott Morrison, and we should be thankful for that.

And is Dutton really facing a #Libspill? It’s in the interests of the Liberal Party to keep him there as a placeholder, but who’s next?

The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption finds that corrupt behaviour in New South Wales is not actually corrupt. John Barilaro landed the trade job that he created while he was a Minister in NSW Parliament, and wasn’t qualified for. But the ICAC ruled that it wasn’t corruption. And, by the way, where is the report into alleged corruptions by Gladys Berejiklian?

And we are going to war with China in three years’ time, so we’ll need to order our military fatigues and start practising our commando techniques. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, of course – this would have to be among the more irresponsible and foolish journalism of recent years. And it’s racist as well. So, put the guns away, return the fatigues to sender: there will be not war with China.

It’s all a media beat-up.

Superannuation is a boring topic of conversation at the best of times, but the government can see that it can save a substantial sum of money by closing off a loophole and has introduced a higher level of tax on superannuation accounts holding over $3 million. And the opposition can see an opportunity to claim that the Prime Minister has broken an election promise. The Liberal Party does have this great skill in being able to magnify the small issues into large scale calamities. There have been some comparisons made with the franking credits campaign from 2019, where they made everyone believe that they were going to lose their franking credits, even for those people who didn't own shares. But it's hard to mount these types of scare campaigns when you're in opposition and the Labor government should probably cut the superannuation benefits even further.

The Attorney–General Mark Dreyfus has met with news agencies and media unions to discuss national secrecy laws and improve protections and press freedoms for journalists and people working in news gathering and political reporting. These are important issues, but it's difficult to talk about press freedoms when Julian Assange is still languishing in a British jail – or the fact that Australia's has the least diverse media landscape in the Western world. It would be better for the government to focus on media ownership laws and create a stronger and enforceable code of conduct for the media.

The Robodebt Royal Commission continues and the role of the former Government Services Minister, Stuart Robert, has been in the spotlight. The Minister was informed by the Secretary of Human Services that the Robodebt scheme was unlawful, which he ignored and said that he would “double down” on the scheme. Officials within the department who supported the Minister's agenda were rewarded, and the others who provided negative advice were punished. It’s one of the biggest scandals to hit Australian politics but, curiously, the mainstream media hasn’t had the stamina to report on this Commission.

It’s one year since Russia invaded Ukraine – it was only meant to last a few days, but it's still going on and unlikely to stop for some time to come. War is an extension of politics by another means and this one is likely to continue until both sides are exhausted and realise there's no point in going on. Russia is still the big loser here and Vladimir Putin’s quest to rework European geopolitics hasn't paid off so far. But the bigger issue is that so many people have died – up to 300,000 people on both sides – with around six million people displaced. And, as with most wars, it's not the political leaders who are paying the price: it's the innocent civilians and soldiers.

The Australian Federal Police is in the news again, and this time it’s through a newspaper interview with the former Defence Minister, Senator Linda Reynolds – and this relates to the allegations of a rape that occurred in Parliament House in 2019, just a few weeks before the federal election was announced.

And, somehow, the personal diaries of Brittany Higgins were leaked to News Corporation and formed a large part of the story about Linda Reynolds – the diaries were provided to the federal police to assist with the Bruce Luhrmann court trial – but here they are being published in a News Corporation newspaper.

There’s currently an ACT government investigation into the behaviour of the police and the trial of Bruce Luhrmann – a trial that was aborted – but the leaking of this private material to News Corporation is another issue that needs to be investigated, as is the role of the Australian Federal Police.

There is an election coming up in NSW next month, and there’s been a raft of resignations in recent times and this follows on from other resignations over the past year – Gladys Berijiklian as well – and there’s other ministers who won’t be contesting at the next election. This is the sorry sight of politics in NSW – it doesn’t really matter who’s in office, corruption and mismanagement is always close by – and this really has the feeling of the last days of a dying government in NSW.

Sometimes a political culture grows from bad beginnings – NSW was founded as an illegal settlement all the way back in 1788, and then there was the Rum Corp that ran for about 30 years or so – and once a poor political culture becomes established, it’s very hard to shake off, even after 235 years.
There’s also been a batch of recent opinion polls and all of them are suggesting a dip in support for the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and a slight improvement of support for the Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton – and as a result, we’ve had the predictable headlines of ‘the end of the honeymoon for Albanese’.

Most of this noise is media amplifying the issues that they want the public to believe in, but there’s still a great deal of support for the Labor government. This will start to wear off, especially when the Labor government does things like approve 116 coal seam gas wells in Queensland and still sticks with supporting the Stage 3 tax cuts – but this is the time they really need to start performing and stick to the agenda they took to the Australian public at the last federal election.

There was another session of Parliament this week and we found out that the federal government has spent $7.6 million to prosecute whistleblowers – while most of that was expended by the previous Coalition government and although the Labor government did drop the cases against Bernard Collaery and Witness K – the cases against David McBride and Richard Boyle are still continuing and they need to stop.

The highlight of the week was the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the National apology to the Stolen Generations. But the apology that has sucked all the attention is the one from Peter Dutton, who now says he didn't understand the significance of the apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008. If Peter Dutton is truly sorry for his actions from 2008, he’d backtrack on his opposition to the Voice to Parliament and he’d stop opposing for the sake of opposing. We don’t want to hear another apology from Peter Dutton in another 15 years’ time, for not understanding the significance of the occasion – it will be far too late for that. He needs to understand the significance of the occasion right now.

There will be a byelection in the Melbourne seat of Aston caused by the resignation of former minister Alan Tudge, and it's been labeled as a big test for Peter Dutton. But it's also a big test for Anthony Albanese and the federal government. There can be endless opinion polls and speculation about public sentiment for the government and for the Opposition, but the real test in politics comes in when real votes are lodged at the ballot box.

Aston hasn't been held by the Labor Party since 1990 and it has been a safe Liberal seat for most of that time since. An incumbent government hasn't won a seat off an Opposition in a byelection since 1921. But the electorate usually votes against the party that caused the by election first place – the Labor government is riding high in the polls and the Liberal–National party isn't. So it's a seat that the Labor Party could win. Equally, it's a seat that the Liberal Party should hold. But in byelections, a lot of political rules get thrown out the window.

Political donations have come under the spotlight with revelations of the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland receiving two donations from Sportsbet in the lead up to the 2022 federal election. And she was the Opposition spokesperson on online gambling and now as Minister of Communications, she's got responsibility for the Interactive Gambling Act and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Sportsbet makes substantial donations to both the Liberal and the Labor parties but this is not a good look, and it's a corruption of the political process: that's one problem. The fact that all of this is legal, is a travesty. Disclosure laws need to change, as well as major reforms to the political donation system.

Parliament has returned for the year, with the government keen to implement its agenda, the Opposition trying to make itself relevant, and everyone else trying to influence all the political outcomes.

There’s been a great deal of focus on The Voice To Parliament in the lead up to the first week of parliamentary sittings, but there’s other issues in the spotlight – the Robodebt royal commission, the economy, reform of Medicare, an interest rate rise, the cost of living issues that keep coming up, and offshore immigration detention has also make a comeback.

Senator Lidia Thorpe has resigned from the Australian Greens and will sit on the crossbench as an independent Senator, and decided to resign when it became clear that the Greens were going to support the “Yes” campaign for The Voice To Parliament – Thorpe feels it’s more important to have a treaty first – but this has worked out best for both parties – the Greens can campaign for the “yes” vote, and Lidia Thorpe can campaign against it, if she wishes to, and then pursue the treaty, and promote the Blak Sovereignty Movement.

Taking Australia’s history into account, European invasion and settlement after 1788 and federation after 1901 – there should be a treaty if this is the wishes of First Nation’s people – and it’s obvious that many do – it’s difficult to know what the results will be from Thorpe’s resignation from the Greens will be, but she will become another Senator the government will need to negotiate with to have their legislation passed by the Senate. So, it could give her some more control in the Senate to achieve these agendas – but on the other hand, it might not.

There’s been some internal discussions within the Liberal Party – and some disquiet about Peter Dutton and the electoral prospects of the Liberal Party. Dutton is not the right person to lead the Liberal Party at this point of time in its history – but there was nobody else who wanted the job just after a big election loss and there was nobody else who was leadership material.

But Dutton is just not getting any traction, and it seems that the perceptions of Dutton as the hard man of politics are set and unlikely to change – and this is at a time when the electorate is looking for a softer and less brutal side to politics.

It might be a case where Dutton is so negative – and that this is what people expect to see from him – that he’s preaching to the converted – or his own conservative backbench that keeps him in the leadership position – and even if he became more positive, that no one would believe him. He’s so dour and negative and really hasn’t got much to offer in policy terms – all he’s doing is offering a culture of complaint. This might have worked in the past, but it’s not going to work this time in Australia’s political history.

It’s hard to believe how bad and illegal Robodebt was, but when you have the most incompetent government ever, anything’s possible.

There was a massive amount of explosive evidence to come out from the Robodebt Royal Commission this week, with ministers, political staffers and public servants all coming in to show how inept, corrupt and deceptive the scheme was – an illegal system that was created and instigated by the previous Coalition government, in the hope that nobody would ever find out.

Most of the evidence presented to this Royal Commission is unbelievable – that ministers could be so corrupt and negligent, public servants could be so incompetent, and political staffers could be so ignorant and dense. The Royal Commission is not a court of law, so it can’t prosecute anyone, but some punitive measures need to be taken, even if it is to make sure that these people can never again serve in public life ever again. That’s how bad all of this is.

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has published a major article titled “Capitalism After The Crises” and the right-wing media had yet another field day – it’s too ambitious, it will end in disaster and the Treasurer is being too arrogant with his suggestion he might be able to re-define capitalism.

Chalmers wants to introduce values-based economics to the Australian community – harnessing the dynamics of technological change, the role of the public sector in innovation, and broadening the spectrum of finance and economics so it closely aligns to human wellbeing and behaviour, and not just a set of numbers.

And this sets up a series of exciting possibilities for the Australian economy – but it’s all been attacked by conservatives – they lack the imagination to understand what the future could look like, and they’re failing to understand history – and in terms of the economic changes that are happening around the world, Australia has to adapt to new economic thinking: otherwise, it’s going to be left behind.

The Australian media usually stays away from New Zealand politics but News Corporation had a field day when Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation, suggesting all of her instincts were bad, she shut down the engines of economic growth and she was a dreadful Prime Minister who failed.

These comments and negative articles were made by male journalists at News Corporation and continues their long tradition of sexism and misogyny. They attacked New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark when she left office in 2008, and it’s difficult to overlook those three long, hard years of sexism and misogyny from News Corporation directed at former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Connecting all of dots – Ardern, Clark, Gillard – they were successful politicians; they were from the left. They were from a political party which represents unions and workers. And the big factor: they are all women. And that's the big issue that News Corporation just doesn't seem to be able to handle very well.

The Prime Minister visited Alice Springs in response to rising crime rates in the town. And as usual, the media decided Anthony Albanese was terrible for not going to Alice Springs and, then when he did go, he was also terrible for doing that as well. It’s hard to appease the media, who can't seem to decide what's right or wrong.

Peter Dutton has been railing against the Voice to Parliament for several months, asking for more details when all the details are already out there. And he ramps up every conceivable problem in the Indigenous community and then asks how the Voice to Parliament is going to fix them. During the week, Dutton was also in Alice Springs, highlighting all the crime problems in the city and calling on the government to send in the defence forces – and when Dutton speaks, the media obliges. Now the media has claimed Albanese buckled under pressure, even though he was planning to make the trip in December, but was afflicted with COVID. Then he rescheduled the trip just over a week ago, before Peter Dutton ramped up his fake outrage – and Albanese was then criticised for failing to address a major problem in a regional town.

There's no doubt crime is a problem in Alice Springs. But most of the rise in crime rates occurred before Albanese became Prime Minister and crime and policing is the responsibility of the states and territories, not the federal government. If only political reporters understood politics more and reported accurately, instead of always siding with the likes of someone like Dutton, who just seeks division and trouble at every opportunity.

Dominic Perrottet claims that he was naïve and didn’t really understand the consequences of his actions of wearing a Nazi costume to his 21st birthday party but, to put this in context, Perrottet is 40 years old, which means his 21st was held in 2003 – and at that time, he was a member of the Young Liberals, he was in his third year of university, and any reasonable person with half a brain would realise that wearing a Nazi costume to their 21st birthday party is probably not the wisest thing to do, especially if you’ve got political aspirations.

But this has got nothing to do the costume itself: it’s more to do with political payback and who’s going to lead the Right faction of the Liberal Party after a likely election loss at the NSW state election in March.

George Pell died last week – conservative MPs and mainstream media, especially News Corporation have lauded Pell as a “saint of our times” and running reams of favourable coverage about how he was persecuted for his beliefs when he spent 18 months in a Victoria jail. But George Pell was not a hero at all.

He failed to report child sexual abuse in Ballarat, he practiced that long held Catholic tradition of moving offending priests from one parish to another, he wasn’t interested in listening to the victims of child sexual abuse, there were a number of allegations of historical child sexual abuse that never made it to court – Pell was found guilty of child sexual abuse in Victoria, before the high court overturned the decision 18 months later – he was also a climate change skeptic, and wanted to reduce the role of women within the Catholic church.

George Pell was a seriously flawed character and signified everything that is wrong with the Catholic church in Australia and it would have been better if his supporters acknowledged this.

It’s still quite early in the year but already, there’s a big focus on The Voice To Parliament – the Prime Minister has started mapping the timeline for when the referendum might take place – and it could be as early as August this year – the Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney has outlined what the Voice to Parliament will look like and how it will work, but that doesn’t seem to be enough for the Coalition – who make all the noises about being supportive of Reconciliation, as long as they don’t have to do anything about it.

Already, the National Party has said that they won’t support The Voice To Parliament; the Liberal Party are doing their best to create division, fear and confusion within the community, and this is all being amplified by conservative media interests – but following on from the federal and Victoria elections last year, could this be another case where the electorate ignores what the Liberal Party and the media is telling them, and go on to support an issue that is in the interests of Indigenous people?

And, late last year, the Liberal Party released their election review, and it was released just before Christmas, so maybe they didn’t want too many people reading it – and it reads like a document of paranoia, a war-gaming plan to attack the teal independents in future election campaigns, and suggests that party needs to move even further to the right to differentiate itself from the Labor Party.

It could be a case where the Liberal Party doesn’t really know how to prepare a good election review after it’s lost an election – Labor’s losing election reviews are generally more concise and definitive because they’ve had more of them in recent times – but based on what’s in Liberal Party election review, they might be in Opposition for some time to come.

For most of this year, it looked like Scott Morrison and the Liberal–National coaltion was going to lose the election, but because the opinion polls got it so wrong in 2019, very few people were prepared to predict the election result in 2022.

But it was obvious that Morrison was going to use the same tactics from 2019 to try and win this election – photo and media opportunities, and it was almost like Season Two of At Home With The Morrisons.

Scott Morrison was seen as a formidable campaigner, but that was a charade and a paper tiger – Morrison was a hopeless campaigner and thrown out of office at the May election.

We were strong critics of Morrison during his time as prime minister – and it seems the electorate agreed with us at the federal election. But with all the material and information that’s coming out about Morrison since that election loss, not only was he the worst prime minster in Australia’s history, he was on the way to becoming one of the more dangerous prime ministers.

It was a big year in politics and the biggest event was the federal election in May. It wasn't clear who was going to win the election, even though opinion polls were suggesting Labor was going to win. In that first hour after the polls closed on election night, it seemed the Coalition was on track to achieve their second consecutive surprise election victory – didn't quite work out that way though. Labor achieved a narrow victory, there were many seats won by independent candidates, and the Coalition lost badly. Paul Keating once said that when the government changes, the country changes as well and Australia now has a new government, new prime minister in Anthony Albanese, and an opportunity to steer the country in a new direction. And, despite what the media kept saying, this was an exciting election campaign, and one of the most important in Australia’s history.

Looking at Labor has been performing since the election in May, it appears the election result has been validated – they've implemented anti-corruption commission legislation, reformed industrial relations, repaired the relationship with Pacific Islands and started to repair the relationship with China. They've put the Voice to Parliament on the political map, they've introduced legislation to stabilise energy prices. This is a government that wants to do things, they don't want to waste time. At looking at some of their achievements over the past seven months, they’ve achieved more than the Coalition managed to achieve over nine years They are riding high in the polls at the moment but that's not going to last forever. But it also suggests the electorate is happy with the choice they made at the 2022 federal election.

The Labor review of the 2022 election has been released, and it’s a much better read than the reviews from the previous three elections which were all lost by the Labor Party. Of course, Labor did win the 2022 election, and while they’ve highlighted all those things that went right for them, they also outlined all the areas they need to improve on if they want to win the next election and the one after that. The report is titled “Election 2022: An opportunity to establish a long-term Labor government” – so it’s obvious what they’re after — Labor does want to have that winning complacency knocked out of it and wants to be in office for the long term, so it can implement as many of its ideas as possible.

The Royal Commission into Robodebt is continuing and the news is becoming more and more damning for the former Coalition government and for the former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. There is a lot of buck-passing going on within this commission – the former head of the Department of Human Services Kathyrn Campbell keeps saying that she wish she’d taken more notice of the legality of Robodebt, and just assumed that it legal because nobody had said that it wasn’t. This is what happens when you have a compromised public service – everyone assumes everyone else is doing the work, no one takes responsibility, and in the meantime, there’s a whole lot of deliberate incompetence that ends up destroying people’s lives.

And there’s more revelations coming out about the Bruce Lehrmann case – and he was facing allegations of committing rape at Parliament House in 2019 – the first case resulted in a mistrial after misconduct by one of the jury members, and the second case was due to be held in February, but the department of public prosecutions dropped the charges due to health concerns for the complainant, Brittany Higgins. There have been allegations that the Australian Federal Police disclosed evidence they held – including psychological counseling notes from Brittany Higgins – to Lehrmann’s legal term – it seems that there has been a lot of interference in this case – they got involved in June 2021, raising concerns about any possible prosecution – and that was before any charges were laid. The Australian Federal Police has been politicised by the Liberal Party over the past two decades – and there were some suggestions that it was like a private militia for Liberal Prime ministers – but there probably needs to be further investigations into their behaviour.

The final opinion polls for the year have been released, and they both show Anthony Albanese is going everywhere, and Peter Dutton is going nowhere. In the Resolve Poll, the primary vote for Labor is at 42%, and that’s about 10% higher than their election result, and for the Coalition, it’s down to 30% – the preferred Prime Minister metric has Albanese at 54%, and Dutton at 19% – Albanese’s net approval rating is 36% – 60% approve, and 24% disapprove – Dutton’s net approval is minus 14. The Prime Minister and Labor did finish the parliamentary year well, but this is the icing on the cake – their election review suggests that they’re trying to remove as much complacency as possible within the ranks, but it might a bit difficult with an Opposition that’s performing so poorly.

The Victoria election was held last weekend and, contrary to what everyone in the media wanted and predicted, it was another crushing defeat for the Liberal Party. It wasn't even close. For the past three months, many in the mainstream media predicted Daniel Andrews had to lose the election; it was going to be very close; there was a surge for the Liberal Party; Andrews was possibly going to even lose his own seat. While there was a 3 per cent swing against the Victoria government – seat wise, it's more or less the same result as the 2018 election: Labor has won twice as many seats than the Liberal–National Coalition. And this was despite the entire media edifice – News Corporation, Seven West, Nine Media, the ABC – fully campaigning against Andrews and the Labor Party, not just during the election campaign, but for the past three years.

Scott Morrison has been censured by the parliament for secretly acquiring five ministries in 2020 and 2021. And while what he did was not unlawful, it’s one of the most bizarre incidents in Australia's parliamentary history: there was no need for him to do this; there was absolutely no need for him to keep it a secret; he hasn’t actually offered any valid explanation for it; it totally undermined the principles of Westminster democracies. The Opposition labelled this censure as a grubby political exercise but it's a situation that couldn't just be left behind or forgotten about. It’s an action that should never have happened and the public needs to keep being reminded about it, so it doesn’t happen again.

The parliament has ended for the year – Labor's industrial relations and National Anti-Corruption Commission bills were passed by the Senate, and these are two massive legislative victories for the Labor government. Anthony Albanese ends the parliamentary year high in the polls, and he was able to relax and go to a Nick Cave concert in Canberra during the week. These moments have to be lapped up because they're not going to last for too long – Kevin Rudd also enjoyed high support six months into his prime ministership in 2008, and Labor occupied every single state and territory government around Australia. Many people at that time said that Labor was going to be in office for at least the next decade or two, but it didn't quite turn out that way. But after seven months in office, the Labor government should be content with its achievements so far.

Industrial relations are once again in the spotlight, with the mining industry and Qantas joining the Coalition in their attacks on the Labor government’s proposed legislation.

And the big sticking points for these large companies is that issue of workers from different companies to collectively negotiate pay rises – but it seems that business just wants everything on its own terms.

It’s the weekend of the Victoria election – and we think that it’s one of the most important state elections for some time – not so much about the result, but the behaviour of the Liberal Party and the mainstream media. A three-year anti-Daniel Andrews campaign that commenced during the pandemic, with all of the media’s anti-lockdown stories, interviewing café owners, gym owners and pub owners about how unfair all of this was, and now filling the campaign with as much hate and bile as possible – we’ve just never seen anything like this in an election campaign before.

The court cases against whistleblowers David McBride and Richard Boyle are ongoing, but the Attorney–General, Mark Dreyfus needs to use his discretionary powers to drop the charges and set them free.