New Politics: Australian Politics

Australia is facing a growing crisis of trust as global conflict, economic pressure and political failure collide, with the war in Iran driving inflation, influencing interest rates and exposing how distant decision-making is from everyday Australians. In this episode, we examine the decline of trust in Australian politics, from the failures of the Liberal Party to a cautious and reactive Labor government, alongside concerns about the effectiveness of institutions like the National Anti-Corruption Commission. We also explore rising media distrust, increasing censorship laws, and the secrecy surrounding the Royal Commission into antisemitism, including ASIO’s role and the use of closed-door evidence. As transparency declines and accountability weakens, public cynicism continues to grow, raising urgent questions about democracy, political leadership, media integrity and whether trust in Australia can be rebuilt. #AUSPOL Support New Politics:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

Australian politics is going through a new era of political realignment as the centre-right fragments and the traditional two-party system begins to fall apart. In this episode, we examine the leadership change in the National Party, with Matt Canavan replacing David Littleproud, the escalating rivalry with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, and the possible return of Clive Palmer, all of which could further split the conservative vote across regional and outer-suburban Australia. As the Liberal–National Coalition faces growing competition from multiple right-wing parties, we also look at whether the Australian Greens could benefit from any decline in support for the Albanese government, particularly amid economic pressures, housing affordability issues and foreign policy tensions. If current polling trends shift even slightly, Australia could see several parties clustered around similar levels of support, complicating preference flows and coalition politics. The result could be the most unpredictable period in Australian federal politics in decades, raising fundamental questions about the future of the Coalition, the stability of the party system, and what the next Australian federal election could mean for the country’s political landscape. #AUSPOL Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

Israel and the United States have launched another attack on Iran, dramatically escalating tensions across the Middle East and raising serious questions about international law, global stability and the credibility of the so-called rules-based international order. In this episode, we examine the latest developments in the Israel–Iran conflict, including the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel and US military bases across Western Asia. We also analyse the legal and political implications of the attack, Australia’s response under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and the broader strategic context – from the legacy of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and Donald Trump’s “peace through war” rhetoric to ongoing calls for regime change in Tehran. We discuss why military analysts consider Iran one of the most difficult countries in the world to invade, and what Australia’s alliance with the United States and Israel means as the Middle East crisis deepens. #AUSPOL Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

In this episode, we examine the new Shadow Cabinet and ask whether the Liberal Party’s latest leadership change represents genuine renewal or simply a rebranding of the same conservative messaging that led to heavy defeats in the 2022 and 2025 federal elections. Promising lower taxes, smaller government and tougher immigration settings, Taylor’s rhetoric echoes the Dutton and Morrison era, raising questions about whether the Coalition has learned from its electoral collapse. We look at the early stumbles, the return of culture-war politics, and looming battles over immigration, negative gearing, capital gains tax and housing affordability – and consider whether Labor will resist a rightward shift in Australian federal politics or continue playing it safe while the agenda is set by its opponents. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

This today’s episode of the New Politics podcast, we explore the political firestorm surrounding Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Sydney and why it became a nationwide flashpoint over Gaza, free speech, protest rights and Australia’s foreign policy. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke of “social cohesion”, tens of thousands protested in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and more than 30 cities, opposing Australia’s bipartisan support for Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank. We examine allegations of war crimes, apartheid and genocide raised by international organisations, the rapid expansion of hate speech laws – including proposed bans on phrases such as “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada” – and concerns about political influence, lobbying, defence ties and democratic rights in Australia. Is criticism of Israel and Zionism being conflated with antisemitism? And has Australia compromised its commitment to human rights and free expression in pursuit of alliance politics? #AUSPOL Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

In this episode, we examine growing global concern over the United States as political instability and erratic leadership under President Donald Trump increasingly undermine the post-1945 international order. From the future of the United Nations, NATO, the IMF and the World Trade Organisation, to flashpoints such as the removal of Venezuela’s president and threats to seize Greenland, we ask whether the world is being forced to imagine a geopolitical future without reliable US leadership. Placing Trump’s second term within a broader pattern of populist strongman politics, and reflecting on Mark Carney’s warning at Davos, the episode argues that the greatest threat to America’s power may now be internal – and the consequences are global. #AUSPOL Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

Donald Trump’s second presidency has exposed the United States’ rapid slide into authoritarianism, with chaos, corruption and unchecked executive power now defining American politics. In this long-read episode, we examine how Trump’s return to the White House has accelerated democratic collapse, normalised fascistic policies and reshaped global power – and what this means for Australia. As the US declines under political instability and imperial overreach, and China rises in the Indo–Pacific, we ask whether Australia should remain locked into ANZUS and AUKUS or finally pursue an independent foreign policy aligned with its region and national interests. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.