The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Football First, Women Last

   Allegations involving five Sydney Swans players have sparked one of the AFL season’s most serious controversies, yet much of the media coverage has focused on suspended players, damaged careers, premiership prospects and the club’s reputation rather than the women who reported the alleged sexual assaults. This episode of New Politics examines AFL culture, consent, masculinity and accountability, asking why education about respectful relationships continues to fail across elite sport and whether powerful football clubs are more concerned with brand protection than cultural change. Standing down players may be necessary, but genuine accountability also requires supporting complainants, cooperating with investigations and placing women’s safety ahead of football. #AUSPOLSubscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

   August 29, 2026·24min
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   Number 2: We need to talk about the influence of Israel

   Nick McKim’s refusal to apologise for saying the Labor government has been “captured by Zionist interests” has opened a wider debate about political lobbying, influence and transparency in Australia. This episode examines the role of pro-Israel advocacy organisations, sponsored trips to Israel for Australian politicians and opinion-makers, and whether these relationships can influence political attitudes and policy on Israel, Gaza and Palestine. We also look at Australia’s political donation system, including the $138 million in funding that has remained outside immediate public scrutiny, and ask the big question: if lobbying governments is considered a legitimate part of Australian politics, shouldn’t scrutiny of that lobbying be legitimate as well? #AUSPOLSubscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.auSupport New Politics:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

   August 28, 2026·27min
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   Number 3: The continuing corrosion and corruption of the Liberal Party

   The Liberal Party’s crisis is no longer temporary. After two consecutive federal election defeats and a collapse in its primary vote, the party remains divided between the political centre and the conservative populism of One Nation and Donald Trump’s Republican Party. While Anthony Albanese and Labor remain vulnerable on housing affordability, the cost of living and declining living standards, voters still regard the Coalition as an unacceptable alternative. With dysfunction across Liberal Party branches, strained relations with the Nationals, the religious right’s growing influence, damaging evidence emerging from the NSW ICAC’s Operation Rosny and Andrew Bragg promoting lower housing standards and attacking compulsory superannuation, the party appears more interested in culture-war rhetoric than practical policy. The Victorian election will provide its next major test – but benefiting from an unpopular government is not the same as rebuilding political relevance. #AUSPOLSubscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

   August 21, 2026·33min
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   Number 4: Silencing genocide, one book at a time

   Waverley Library’s removal of Adam Johnson’s “How to Sell a Genocide” raises a question that goes far beyond one book or a Sydney council: who decides which political arguments the public is allowed to debate? While the distress of survivors of the Bondi Beach terror attack must be treated seriously, it cannot become a veto over what an entire community is allowed to read. This episode examines public library censorship, freedom of expression, Israel and Gaza, the contested use of the word “genocide”, and attempts to conflate criticism of Israel and Zionism with antisemitism through the IHRA definition. When institutions remove lawful material because they fear organised complaints or controversy, libraries risk becoming political gatekeepers rather than independent sources of knowledge. Public institutions should help communities confront difficult ideas – not hide them when influential groups object. #AUSPOL Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

   August 22, 2026·23min
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   Number 5: Australia, Israel and the charade of Palestinian recognition

   Almost a year after Australia recognised Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, what has actually changed? The Albanese government has imposed no meaningful sanctions on Israel, restricted no trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and maintained Australia’s involvement in the F-35 military supply network. The killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza remains unresolved, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong continues to defend a deeply contradictory policy: recognising Palestinian sovereignty while supporting the occupying power. With Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir promoting the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, Australia’s inaction is becoming a test of its democracy, political independence and commitment to international law. Recognition of Palestine was an important step, but it should have marked the beginning of a new Australian policy on Israel, Gaza and the West Bank – not the end of it. #AUSPOL Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

   September 11, 2026·27min
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