New Politics: Australian Politics

(00:00:00) The Great Environmental Backflip and the Joy Division (00:01:09) Green Light, Red Flags: Labor’s Environmental Backdown (00:16:40) Nuclear Déjà Vu: The Coalition’s Broken Record (00:29:26) Between Beijing and Washington: Albanese at ASEAN (00:41:10) Culture Wars on Vinyl: The Joy Division Distraction We examine one of the biggest environmental retreats in years as the Albanese government prepares to hand decision-making powers on coal, gas and water projects back to the states, gutting environmental protection and empowering the fossil-fuel lobby. It’s supposedly about “cutting red tape,” but critics say it’s a green light for mining giants and a betrayal of Labor’s climate promises. We also assess the new “national interest” override, the anger from NT Aboriginal land councils, and the government’s growing resemblance to the Morrison era. Meanwhile, the Coalition revives its nuclear energy obsession as Senator Jane Hume pushes to lift Australia’s nuclear ban, reigniting divisions between Barnaby Joyce and the moderates. Plus, Anthony Albanese’s balancing act at the ASEAN summit – caught between China and the US – and Sussan Ley’s bizarre attack on the Prime Minister for wearing a Joy Division T-shirt. Sharp analysis, politics without spin, and all the week’s contradictions in Australian politics. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s long-awaited meeting with Donald Trump delivers smiles, handshakes and a critical minerals deal that deepens Australia’s dependence on Washington. Beneath the diplomacy lies a bigger story – how this deal sidelines China, fuels the mining magnates and leaves Australia as the world’s quarry. Meanwhile, rising tensions in the South China Sea, Barnaby Joyce’s flirtation with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, and the collapse of the Gaza “ceasefire” expose a world of political theatre and moral failure. From AUKUS to media censorship and Chris Hedges’ fight for truth, this episode dissects power, propaganda and the high price of speaking out. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

In this week’s podcast, Labor’s superannuation retreat exposes a government afraid to lead – Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ watered-down super tax gives wealthy Australians another break while real reform on housing, climate and tax fairness slips further away. We examine the bizarre corruption scandal of the Australian Parliamentary Sports Club – with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presiding over a registered lobby group – and the vindictive legal crusade of former senator Linda Reynolds against Brittany Higgins, highlighting Australia’s broken defamation laws. Plus, Donald Trump’s so-called Gaza “ceasefire” reveals more illusion than peace, as Israel’s narrative control collapses and global calls for justice and accountability grow louder. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

We expose the hypocrisy behind the National Press Club’s cancellation of Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Chris Hedges, silenced for planning to speak about the collapse of journalism and the genocide in Gaza. We reveal how corporate sponsors like Raytheon, BAE Systems and Thales – all supplying weapons to Israel – help shape media censorship in Australia’s so-called home of free speech. We also examine the Optus Triple-0 outage, which blocked hundreds of emergency calls and caused three preventable deaths, highlighting the failure of neoliberalism and the dangers of outsourcing essential public services. And as the Liberal Party descends further into chaos, with Andrew Hastie’s aborted leadership challenge, Jacinta Price’s infighting and Peter Dutton’s factional damage, we ask whether Australia’s conservative movement is now ideologically bankrupt and politically finished. #AUSPOL Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Song listing:

Anthony Albanese is back from his international tour, pitching stability and steady progress – but is “slow and steady” enough, or just political stagnation? We unpack the prime minister’s speeches at the UK Labour conference, his meeting with King Charles, and what his cautious style means for Australia’s future. Labor may have the advantage of a fractured Liberal Party, but with Andrew Hastie pushing a hard-right agenda and Sussan Ley struggling to hold her party together, the opposition’s leadership battles could shift quickly. We also examine Labor’s $790 million Nauru contract with a US private prison company, concerns over the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the so-called Gaza peace plan backed by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu – a deal that looks more like forced surrender than genuine peace. #AUSPOL Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Song listing:

America’s democratic decline under Donald Trump’s second term is reshaping global politics – institutions are undermined, conspiracy theories drive policy, and US credibility is collapsing on the world stage. As China, Russia, India, and Brazil strengthen BRICS alliances, Australia faces tough choices on AUKUS, tariffs, and its role in a fractured order. While the media obsesses over Anthony Albanese’s “date” with Trump, the bigger story is Australia’s recognition of Palestine at the UN, a symbolic but historic shift signalling cracks in decades of Western obstruction and reshaping global debates on justice, sovereignty, and accountability. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

Australia’s first national climate risk assessment warns of rising seas, deadly heat, and collapsing ecosystems, raising doubts about whether Anthony Albanese’s 2035 emissions target is bold enough. Meanwhile, the Royal Children’s Hospital caves to Zionist lobby pressure, cancelling a Gaza-related health panel as the UN declares Israel guilty of genocide. Abroad, Albanese falters in Papua New Guinea, Richard Marles unveils $1.7 billion Ghost Shark drones, and the Coalition sinks further into political chaos. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

In this bonus episode of the New Politics podcast, host David Lewis unpacks Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) – once dismissed as fringe but now at the centre of global economic debate. We explore its intellectual roots, from Georg Friedrich Knapp and Abba Lerner to modern voices like Warren Mosler, Bill Mitchell, L. Randall Wray and Stephanie Kelton, and examine how MMT shapes today’s policy battles over climate change, unemployment and inequality. From Japan’s record debt levels to US COVID stimulus, Canada’s healthcare experiments and China’s infrastructure spending, real-world tests are mounting, sparking fierce clashes between advocates who see MMT as a tool for resilience and critics who warn of runaway inflation. Is it the future of economic management or a dangerous illusion? #ModernMonetaryTheory #MMTExplained #EconomicsPodcast #FiscalPolicy2025 #GreenNewDeal #GlobalEconomy

This week, we expose Australia’s latest media hysteria: Xi Jinping’s speech to commemorate defeating fascism in 1945 mistranslated into a China scare campaign, recycled “Dictator Dan” attacks on Daniel Andrews, Jacinta Price’s divisive immigration comments sparking outrage and more Liberal Party chaos, the Zionist intimidation at Bondi Beach, Lachlan Murdoch’s takeover of News Corporation, and Victoria’s historic Indigenous Treaty. #AusPol #ChinaRelations #JacintaPrice #LiberalParty #FreePalestine #MurdochMedia #VictoriaTreaty #NewPoliticsPodcast Support New Politics, just $5 per week. https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

The “March for Australia” rallies claimed to be about housing and migration, but quickly exposed themselves as platforms for white nationalism, racism, and neo-Nazi activity. We break down how politicians, right-wing media, and even the Prime Minister’s weak response helped legitimise extremism, while also exposing the pro-Israel propaganda behind the Gold Coast Mayors Summit and Labor’s growing secrecy on FOI, asylum seekers, and whistleblower protections. What kind of democracy does Australia really want? Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com #auspol #MarchForAustralia Song listing:

Housing affordability dominates the headlines as the Albanese government repackages its 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers, but with global evidence showing such policies push up prices without fixing supply, is this just more political spin? We examine why restrictive zoning, slow planning, and the lack of social housing remain the real barriers to affordable homes, and the government needs to understand that housing is a human right, not just an investment. Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador, but it raises questions about the credibility of ASIO, double standards on Israel’s war crimes, and whether this move is linked to Australia’s upcoming recognition of Palestine. And the Coalition’s climate wars are tearing the party apart yet again, with Nationals MPs, Gina Rinehart, and conservative media undermining net zero while corporate Australia and voters demand action – leaving Sussan Ley’s leadership on the brink and Labor with a political gift that just keeps on giving. #AusPol #HousingCrisis #ClimateChaos #MiddleEastPolitics Support New Politics: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

We unpack the government’s Economic Reform Roundtable, where Anthony Albanese brought together business, unions, and welfare groups to debate productivity, equity, housing, and workplace reform – but with predictable demands and little real change on offer. We examine the growing push for a four-day working week, a reform once dismissed as radical but now backed by evidence of higher productivity, better wellbeing, and lower emissions. On the international stage, Benjamin Netanyahu’s attack on Albanese over Palestine recognition backfired, exposing his crumbling authority while highlighting Australia’s potential shift towards sanctions and accountability for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Back home, Labor consolidates power despite Albanese’s low personal popularity, the Liberals under Sussan Ley remain stuck in negativity, and Tasmanian Labor tries to arrest its chaos under new leader Josh Willie. #AusPol #NewPoliticsPodcast #TasPol Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement that Australia will recognise the state of Palestine at the UN in September marks a historic foreign policy shift, yet conditions are placed solely on Palestine while Israel faces none. This episode examines the unfinished business of UN Resolution 181, Australia’s role under ‘Doc’ Evatt in 1947, and the urgent need for real action – sanctions, reparations, and accountability for Israel’s war crimes – while exposing double standards in the media over the killing of 240 journalists in Gaza. We also analyse the political absurdity of the Liberal Party’s reaction to the Reserve Bank’s rate cut, the deeper problem of reflex opposition, and the government’s secrecy over its climate risk assessment, which reveals billions in climate damage and counterproductive policies that threaten Australia’s future. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

In this episode of New Politics, we cover the massive Sydney Harbour Bridge protest where up to 300,000 Australians defied torrential rain to demand justice for Palestine, an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. We examine the political fallout for NSW Premier Chris Minns, growing dissent within Labor ranks, and the Albanese government’s slow, cautious response and vague promises of action. We also unpack a controversial proposal to ban under-16s from social media using invasive ID checks – appeasing Rupert Murdoch rather than protecting children – and explore the overlooked but significant Indigenous economic reforms announced at the Garma Festival. #AUSPOL #MarchForHumanity Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

AUKUS turns costly as Australia signs a 50-year treaty with the UK – without US backing. The Nationals reignite the climate wars, aged care reforms are delayed, and Gareth Ward remains in Parliament despite a criminal conviction. Plus, we analyse Australia’s tepid response to the crisis in Gaza and growing calls for Palestine recognition. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

The first sitting week of Australia’s new federal Parliament has begun with a show of strength from the Albanese Labor government, now holding a record-breaking majority. In this episode, we explore what Prime Minister Albanese’s “year of delivery” means for health, housing, education and infrastructure – and whether Labor can meet expectations or fall into complacency. We examine the Coalition’s ongoing crisis under Sussan Ley, with internal chaos, ideological confusion and media sabotage dragging the party further into irrelevance. We also cover the powerful pro-Palestine protests outside Parliament and question why the government, led by Penny Wong, has focused more on silencing dissent than holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. Plus, we look at the campaign to lower the voting age to 16 in Australia, and what it means for democracy and youth political engagement. And finally, we unpack the result of the Tasmania election and what it reveals about modern power-sharing politics – and Labor’s persistent reluctance to work with the Greens. #AUSPOL Support New Politics. just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

In this episode, we break down a big week in Australian politics – from Anthony Albanese’s strategic reset of Australia–China relations through diplomacy and trade, to the Coalition’s continued Cold War-style fearmongering and media hysteria over Taiwan. We examine the fallout from the Jillian Segal anti-Semitism report, which critics argue could suppress dissent on Israel and erode democratic freedoms, and question its links to right-wing lobby groups. We also explore Australia’s continuing housing crisis, with leaked Treasury figures revealing a likely shortfall of up to 460,000 homes by 2030, and ask whether modular, high-density living can shift the culture of oversized McMansions. Plus, with Tasmania heading to the polls amid chaos, independents on the rise, and major parties refusing alliances, is this the future of post-major-party politics in Australia? Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

This week, we expose the real costs of privatisation in Australia’s essential services – early childhood education, health, aged care, and universities – highlighting how deregulation, outsourcing, and profit-driven policies have undermined safety, quality, and public accountability. We revisit the collapse of ABC Learning, rising fees, unqualified staff, and controversies like Julie Bishop’s lavish university spending, asking: has privatisation failed? We also investigate the political response to anti-Semitic incidents following criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza, media misreporting of protests, and the government’s selective protections. Plus: is Australia truly independent within the US alliance? And what does the RBA’s cash rate decision mean for housing, inflation, and working Australians? Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

In this episode, we dissect the media frenzy over whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet US President Donald Trump, arguing that diplomatic theatre won’t protect Australia from the fallout of Trump’s chaotic trade policies and that Canberra must look beyond Washington to secure its economic future. We cover the police assault on former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas during a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney, exposing how NSW’s “Places of Worship” laws and Australia’s $4.1 billion F-35 program are being used to suppress dissent while protecting weapons manufacturers. We examine the Liberal Party’s deepening gender crisis and propose women-only preselections as a fast-track solution to achieving gender equity in parliament. And we unpack the historic Yoorrook Justice Commission report, which names Australia’s treatment of Indigenous peoples in Victoria as genocide, calling for truth-telling, land returns, and systemic reform. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:

In this episode, we examine the United States’ bombing of Iranian nuclear sites and Australia’s delayed yet predictable support, driven by hollow “alliance obligations” rhetoric. We unpack the media’s biased framing of “Iranian aggression”, the ABC’s platforming of compromised figures like Scott Morrison and Mike Pezzullo, and question whether Penny Wong has abandoned Australia’s national interest. We also probe the illusion of a “rules-based order”, bipartisan hypocrisy on AUKUS and Pine Gap, and the creeping complacency within Labor’s post-2025 majority. Plus, we cover Antoinette Lattouf’s Federal Court victory against the ABC and the continuing influence of the Israel lobby on Australian public discourse. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticshttps://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing: