CONTESTED GROUND: Budget backlash – has Australia lost its political middle ground?
About this episode
The episode discusses Australia's political landscape amidst a populist surge and the implications of the federal budget on public trust and social tensions.
As Australia faces a populist political surge and the established political parties continue to lose ground, can Australia's "sensible" centre hold, or will decades of failed policies, broken promises and declining economic opportunities finally come home to roost? In a departure from its usual international focus, Contested Ground turns to domestic tensions sparked by the federal budget. The hosts argue that this has become a sustained point of public frustration rather than a short-term political issue. Hosts Phil Tarrant and Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson question whether Australia is moving away from its traditional "sensible centre" towards greater political polarisation. A central theme of the discussion is the declining level of trust between Australians and the political class. Dr Thompson argues that governments increasingly risk creating division through policies and political strategies that focus on wedge issues rather than building consensus. The conversation references debates, including the Voice referendum and responses to international crises, as examples of issues that have contributed to heightened social tension. The discussion also turns to housing…
More episodes of Defence & Security Podcast Network
- CYBER UNCUT: AI won't replace security teams – it will decide whether they keep you, with Securonix's Ajay Biyani
- CONTESTED GROUND: Shots fired! Chinese missile test shatters Australia's "fog of peace", with Mike Pezzullo
- SPOTLIGHT: Counter-drone innovation, directed energy and delivering operational outcomes, with EOS Defence Systems' Lee Kormany
- CYBER UNCUT: Trust is the new attack surface, with ThreatLocker APAC director of operations Emile Barakat
- Strengthening security ties, Fiji defence pact and Australia's counter-drone push
- CONTESTED GROUND: Lessons from the UK in political polarisation, generational dislocation and intergenerational warfare, with Ben Dullroy, Bravo Delta Advisory
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Defence & Security Podcast Network podcast page.