New Politics: Australian Politics, News, Analysis & Commentary

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.

In this special year-end episode, we look at the significant political events that shaped politics in 2023. From the highs and lows of governance to the pressing issues that grabbed headlines, join us as we unravel the complexities of Australian politics.

Voice to Parliament: We start with an in-depth analysis of the Voice to Parliament initiative, a major theme throughout the year. Despite early momentum, the prolonged campaign witnessed dwindling support, leading to an unfortunate failure in the referendum.
Housing challenges: The multifaceted housing crisis: from affordability issues in urban and regional areas to debates over social housing and the Housing Australian Future Fund, we explore the evolving landscape of Australian housing.
Sino-Australian relations: A significant turnaround in relations with China marks another key discussion point. We examine the easing of sanctions and tariffs, the political nuances of this relationship, and the broader implications for Australian foreign policy.
Robodebt and anti-corruption: The establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Robodebt Royal Commission brought some closure to lingering issues of mismanagement. We review these developments and their impact on governance.
Defamation cases and the role of the mainstream media: High-profile defamation cases and the role of mainstream media in shaping public opinion receive a critical look. We look at the ramifications of these cases and the ongoing debate over media behaviour, influence and ownership.
Gaza conflict: We also cover the tragic events in Gaza, examining Australia's diplomatic stance and the international calls for peace, and how there has been a shift in international support for Israel.
There also the issues that didn’t feature highly, but they should have—the current state of COVID-19 in Australia, including new variants and public health responses; environmental issues, particularly the lack of significant action on climate change, despite its growing urgency and public concern; domestic violence, gender pay equity, and workplace harassment, require continued attention and action in these critical areas.
Song listing:

1. ‘Stranger In Moscow’, Tame Impala.
2. ‘Hungry Face’, Mogwai.
3. ‘Praise You’, Fat Boy Slim.

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.

Welcome to New Politics! In this episode, we explore the recent incident involving the HMAS Toowoomba in the East China Sea and its repercussions on Australian politics. While the details of the incident remain unclear, the aftermath has fueled anti-China rhetoric within the media, providing the Liberal Party with another opportunity to emphasise national security concerns. Has the Australia–China relationship been damaged again, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have dedicated the past 18 months to repairing relations and lifting trade sanctions? We explore the delicate balance between diplomatic efforts and the persistent political tug-of-war between the Labor and Liberal parties regarding China.
Turning to domestic issues, we analyse the resurfacing debate over Stage 3 tax cuts. The familiar arguments surrounding inflation, government budget constraints, and income inequality come to the forefront. Is it a matter of affordability or political strategies from different sides of politics? We discuss the potential economic and political ramifications of implementing these tax cuts and why the Labor government is likely to implement them in full.
We also examine the latest opinion polls, revealing the Liberal–National Coalition's lead in the two-party preferred voting, which now seems to be a trend. We navigate through the complexities of polling data, emphasising that the only poll that truly matters is the one on election day – but still, it’s a report card on how the government is travelling. We explore how populist outrage, spearheaded by figures like Peter Dutton, is shaping political discourse on issues ranging from national security to China.

Song listing:

1. ‘Pretty Vacant’, (cover version) Sofia Allard.
2. ‘The Honeymoon Is Over’, The Cruel Sea.
3. ‘Praise You’, Fat Boy Slim.