New Politics: Australian Politics
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Top 10 New Politics: Australian Politics Episodes
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Raise the rate! NDIS, the pre-Budget lull and Dutton's LNP tanking in the polls
New Politics: Australian Politics
04/21/23 • 45 min
There’s been a build-up to the Budget which will be announced on 9 May, it’s at the final stages of development and still working out what will be palatable at this point of the political cycle, and what’s in the interests of the Australian community and the economy.
There’s a wide range of budget issues coming into focus – the cost of the AUKUS deal with the United States and Britain; the amount allocated towards social housing; and there’s also the debate about whether the Stage 3 tax cuts should proceed, even though they won’t commence until 1 July 2024 – there’s also the cost of Medicare and raising the rate of Jobseeker payments – a standard ‘bread and butter’ Labor issue that many in the community are finding it difficult to understand why the government is being so recalcitrant about.
The focus of attention of the week has been on the NDIS, which Bill Shorten promises to reboot and reform after the previous Coalition government mismanaged the program during its term in office. It is a costly program, but it’s an essential program – but the Budget announcement will confirm if the dollars are going to be matched up with the rhetoric.
There are new opinion polls, and they provide bad news for Peter Dutton, and good news for the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Sometimes, a prime minister can be made to look good because of a weak opposition leader – but the flipside is that an Opposition can be made to look even worse because of a competent government – in this case, it’s probably a combination of the two – but despite all attempts by the mainstream media to boost his stocks, the polling for Dutton has reached his lowest level, and it just keeps getting worse and worse for the Liberal Party.
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The Apology, Aston byelection and Labor’s bad gambling habit
New Politics: Australian Politics
02/17/23 • 41 min
The highlight of the week was the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the National apology to the Stolen Generations. But the apology that has sucked all the attention is the one from Peter Dutton, who now says he didn't understand the significance of the apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008. If Peter Dutton is truly sorry for his actions from 2008, he’d backtrack on his opposition to the Voice to Parliament and he’d stop opposing for the sake of opposing. We don’t want to hear another apology from Peter Dutton in another 15 years’ time, for not understanding the significance of the occasion – it will be far too late for that. He needs to understand the significance of the occasion right now.
There will be a byelection in the Melbourne seat of Aston caused by the resignation of former minister Alan Tudge, and it's been labeled as a big test for Peter Dutton. But it's also a big test for Anthony Albanese and the federal government. There can be endless opinion polls and speculation about public sentiment for the government and for the Opposition, but the real test in politics comes in when real votes are lodged at the ballot box.
Aston hasn't been held by the Labor Party since 1990 and it has been a safe Liberal seat for most of that time since. An incumbent government hasn't won a seat off an Opposition in a byelection since 1921. But the electorate usually votes against the party that caused the by election first place – the Labor government is riding high in the polls and the Liberal–National party isn't. So it's a seat that the Labor Party could win. Equally, it's a seat that the Liberal Party should hold. But in byelections, a lot of political rules get thrown out the window.
Political donations have come under the spotlight with revelations of the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland receiving two donations from Sportsbet in the lead up to the 2022 federal election. And she was the Opposition spokesperson on online gambling and now as Minister of Communications, she's got responsibility for the Interactive Gambling Act and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Sportsbet makes substantial donations to both the Liberal and the Labor parties but this is not a good look, and it's a corruption of the political process: that's one problem. The fact that all of this is legal, is a travesty. Disclosure laws need to change, as well as major reforms to the political donation system.
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Sick of the media: 2022 Labor Budget analysis
New Politics: Australian Politics
10/28/22 • 37 min
But economics isn’t just about debt and inflation, there’s a wide range of issues to take into account – there’s revenue, how this money is spent, there’s productivity issues, there’s consumer behaviour issues – and, of course, there’s the politics.
Budgets are all about government trying to achieve their policy objectives, according to their ideological persuasions – but the Labor government is trying to balance a number of different factors, difficult economic circumstances, managing expectations, keeping their election promises – but this first Budget from Jim Chalmers seems to be about building trust with the electorate first up – and of course, there’s going to be people that aren’t happy with the Budget – and it is disappointing from a climate change perspective – and there’s still no additional support for people on Jobseeker – but it’s a Budget that’s getting back to that idea of people at the centre of the economy, and that’s an important first step.
And whenever there’s a Budget announcement – even if it is the second one of the year – there’s also the Budget right of reply for the leader of the opposition, and Peter Dutton hit all the predictable issues, such as cost of living issues, broken promises, cost of gas and electricity – and just like the media, he’s fixated on the $275 reduction in power prices that Labor promised during the election campaign.
That was a power reduction that was promised by 2025 – two years away, but it’s not stopping Dutton from making it seem like that’s a promise that has been broken right now – it’s hard work being in Opposition, trying to make yourselves seem relevant, when your not, and especially when a new government is trying to fix up all the severe budget problems that the Coalition has created over the past nine years – you have to hope that the electorate is going to forget all of these problems that were left behind – but at this stage, Dutton has to look for all the small issues to gain traction, not just for the Liberal and National Parties, but for his own position as well.
Where can Labor improve? This is a good start, but there’ll be another Budget in May 2023, and Labor could do six-monthly Budgets for the first two years of this term if they wanted to – but most economists agree that inflation is the biggest issue facing the federal Budget – and most economists agree that this is what Labor has done right.
But it will have to do more to address inflation – some of this is controllable, some is not – the first big step for Jim Chalmers has been to gain credibility with the Australian public, but they’ll also have to defy what they said they were going to do during the election campaign – address falling wages – but it can’t do that until inflation is under control.
So, that’s one of the first big issues they need to do more with, but they’ve got another Budget in May next year – but they can’t move on many other issues until they address this first.
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Roberts-Smith, wasted billions, Senator Hanson-Young and News Corp inquiry, and ending HECS debts
New Politics: Australian Politics
06/09/23 • 52 min
Shining a light on government actions, we discuss revelations of the former Morrison government misspending $2 billion in health funding programs, exposing a pattern of poor guidelines and politically motivated grants. These unethical practices continue to provide material for the National Anti-Corruption Commission, adding to the Morrison government’s list of possibly illegal behavior.
Another major development is the official interest rate rise, reaching the highest rate since 2012. Amidst the blame game, we explore various factors contributing to this economic challenge and emphasise the government’s responsibility to address the problem.
In Western Australia, we highlight the controversial decision to award Gina Rinehart as Western Australian of the Year, questioning the selection criteria that favour wealthy businesspeople over community champions and unsung heroes.
Our attention then shifts to the ongoing push for an inquiry into the Murdoch media empire in Australia, a long-overdue inquiry to examine the influence of News Corporation, which we believe has become a cancerous force in the media and political landscape.
To provide insight, we interview Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who shares her perspective on an inquiry and its potential to improve media behaviour in Australia.
Finally, we address the contentious issue of growing HECS debts, a scheme implemented in 1990. We explore the impact of increased inflation rates on HECS debts, and the need for fundamental reform of the university and higher education sector, highlighting the broader community benefits that education brings.
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The massive media fail, Morrison censured and Labor ends the year on a high
New Politics: Australian Politics
12/02/22 • 41 min
Scott Morrison has been censured by the parliament for secretly acquiring five ministries in 2020 and 2021. And while what he did was not unlawful, it’s one of the most bizarre incidents in Australia's parliamentary history: there was no need for him to do this; there was absolutely no need for him to keep it a secret; he hasn’t actually offered any valid explanation for it; it totally undermined the principles of Westminster democracies. The Opposition labelled this censure as a grubby political exercise but it's a situation that couldn't just be left behind or forgotten about. It’s an action that should never have happened and the public needs to keep being reminded about it, so it doesn’t happen again.
The parliament has ended for the year – Labor's industrial relations and National Anti-Corruption Commission bills were passed by the Senate, and these are two massive legislative victories for the Labor government. Anthony Albanese ends the parliamentary year high in the polls, and he was able to relax and go to a Nick Cave concert in Canberra during the week. These moments have to be lapped up because they're not going to last for too long – Kevin Rudd also enjoyed high support six months into his prime ministership in 2008, and Labor occupied every single state and territory government around Australia. Many people at that time said that Labor was going to be in office for at least the next decade or two, but it didn't quite turn out that way. But after seven months in office, the Labor government should be content with its achievements so far.
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Terrible AUKUS deal, NSW criminal corruption and media behaving badly
New Politics: Australian Politics
03/17/23 • 47 min
Paul Keating also attacked this AUKUS deal – and we things he’s right – but instead of looking at the merit of what he had to say, the mainstream media decided that Keating was impolite to journalists. So, he can’t be taken seriously. Wow, these journalists are so upper-class, they don’t know what’s good for them: let them eat cake and we say – all the way with PJK.
And we've been asked the question: why did the mainstream media avoid the Robodebt Royal Commission? Again, the answer to this is complex: dwindling advertising revenues, news editors and journalists who come from the upper echelons of society, so receiving a social security payment – or being forced to pay it back – is a totally foreign experience for them. That’s the long-term effect of journalism courses around Australia becoming stacked with graduates from private schools.
And more corruption in New South Wales, this time there’s a recording of former NSW National Party leader John Barilaro bragging about his pork-barrelling adventures back in 2021. If only there was a decent mainstream media that has the courage to reveal these details on the eve of a NSW state election instead of delivering silence. If only...
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Goodbye McGowan, the PwC scandal, and the conservative attacks on the Voice to Parliament
New Politics: Australian Politics
06/02/23 • 53 min
Mark McGowan, has stepped down as the Premier of Western Australia after six years in office. Citing exhaustion and a lack of energy to effectively continue in his role, McGowan concluded his resignation speech, marking the end of an influential and highly successful career.
The a prominent consulting firm PwC – one of the ‘Big Four’ – has faced intense scrutiny for leaking confidential information from the Australian Taxation Office to its international clients, revealing plans by the Australian Government regarding multinational corporations tax and corporate law changes. There are suggestions that the released information represents just the tip of the iceberg, with other consulting firms likely to be implicated. This situation raises significant concerns about government outsourcing, particularly given the staggering $21 billion spent on consultants and outsourcing in the final year of the previous Coalition government. This figure is equivalent to 54,000 full-time staff or 37 per cent of the entire federal government public service. While the current Labor government aims to reduce this spending, the existence of ongoing contracts and the need for specific expertise pose challenges in immediate reduction.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been actively promoting the Voice to Parliament: during his speech in Adelaide, he emphasised the potential of the Voice the Parliament as a moment of national idealism, and an opportunity to surpass the achievements of the 1967 referendum. However, there is a major difference between the 1967 referendum and the Voice to Parliament. The Liberal Party’s nature has evolved from a liberal stance in the 1960s to a more reactionary conservative party today and mobilising fear, loathing, and hatred is easier now than in the past, and it was always inevitable that the federal Liberal Party was not going to support the Voice to Parliament – they declared their support for the “no” campaign, even before the legislation reached Parliament.
The Liberal Party misrepresents information, spreads lies, and continuously demands more details: they accuse Anthony Albanese of being secretive about the Voice to Parliament, attempting to cultivate a racist vote across Australia. These bad faith actors show no intention of supporting positive change for Indigenous Australia, despite having had nine years to address the very issues they complain about.
While some have criticised Albanese for lacking courage and being slow in implementing reforms, these criticisms should not apply to the Voice to Parliament. It aligns precisely with the demands of Indigenous people. Indigenous issues do not garner significant electoral support in Australian politics, and the Labor government will possibly lose votes on the Voice to Parliament. But, it’s the right thing to do. Despite this, it just highlights the difficulty of convincing the rest of Australia to support initiatives that positively affect Indigenous people amidst conservative antagonism. #auspol #VoiceToParliament
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The Dutton corruption files, a wellbeing Budget, and we need a super profit tax now
New Politics: Australian Politics
07/28/23 • 46 min
In the spotlight is Peter Dutton, the leader of the Liberal Party, who finds himself entangled in a web of questions surrounding his knowledge of contracts for offshore processing services in Nauru, made with a businessman who was convicted of corruption and bribery. We’ll trace back to Dutton’s time as Minister for Home Affairs – it’s alleged the Australian Federal Police briefed him about an investigation into the businessman’s possible corruption yet, despite this knowledge, the Department of Home Affairs proceeded to enter into contracts with the businessman’s company, Radiance International. We look at the implications of this controversial decision and why Peter Dutton needs to address these very concerning events.
We also analyse Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ announcement of the first-ever wellbeing budget. Termed the Measuring What Matters national wellbeing framework, this budget promises a new perspective on economic decisions. We’ll explore how this budget links national finances to the social wellbeing of the community, challenging the conventional focus on abstract concepts like a budget surplus or deficit. However, not everyone is on board with this innovative approach, as critics, including the usual suspects News Corporation and Sky News, seek to discredit the wellbeing budget. Discover why this framework has received both praise and skepticism from different quarters of society.
The CFMEU has put forward a bold proposal to fund public and affordable housing through a tax on corporate super profits. Zach Smith, the secretary of the CFMEU, unveiled this campaign at the National Press Club, outlining how a permanent 40% tax on excess profits could generate a substantial $29 billion annually. This significant revenue could then be used to build 53,000 new homes each year, contributing to addressing the estimated shortfall of 750,000 homes by 2041. We’ll contrast this with the Labor government’s housing proposal, which pales in comparison and has been met with criticism for its lack of ambition. We also examine the history of the resource super profit tax and why it failed to achieve its potential in the past.
Of course, there’s political implications and opposition surrounding the super profit tax proposal, and we look at Bill Shorten’s stance against considering a super profit tax and the potential media and Coalition backlash – there are merits and drawbacks of such a tax but it could be a game-changer for funding various public projects.
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The search for a nuclear device, the Matildas holiday, rental politics, branch stacking and the latest on the Voice
New Politics: Australian Politics
08/18/23 • 52 min
Do sport and politics mix? Of course, and we look at this intersection, focusing on the recent debate over a potential national holiday in the event of a Matildas World Cup victory. We scrutinise statements from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, uncovering how media framing can impact public perception. But it’s all moot: the Matildas are out of the tournament, which at least will keep the sad sack conservative anti-woke nihilists happy: can’t have a sports team supporting the Voice or same-sex marriage.
National Cabinet met during the week, and we detail recent decisions made, including the expansion of the National Housing Accord and the introduction of consistent rental rules. We address criticisms from the Australian Greens and explore their political motivations.
There’s also the media conniptions about branch stacking in Victoria, centred around Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio but, yet again, it’s another attempt by News Corporation to make it seem that Premier Daniel Andrews is a bad man, and a corrupt one as well. We assess the significance of these allegations in the political landscape and their portrayal in the media.
We also analyse recent opinion polling data, highlighting the Labor government's electoral strength, contrasting it with the falling approval ratings for Albanese and the correlation with the fall in support for the Voice. Is it time to drop the referendum and start all over again? Senator Lidia Thorpe thinks it is: it’s time for Treaty, truth-telling and reparations, but it’s impossible to implement these when there is so much resistance from the conservative side of politics and the mainstream media.
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An awful week in politics, fixing housing and is the Voice To Parliament really in trouble?
New Politics: Australian Politics
06/16/23 • 59 min
We also address the issue of housing affordability in Australia and speak with Cathy Callaghan, senior policy officer at Shelter NSW, who provides an overview of the various aspects of housing policy that need attention in order to achieve a sustainable and equitable housing sector in the future. Housing has been neglected by successive governments over the past 30 years, with social and public housing largely left to the private sector, which is a significant reason why we are facing the problems we have today. Resolving these issues requires substantial effort and focus by government.
Lastly, we examine the opinion polls regarding the Voice to Parliament initiative. While some polls suggest a decline in support for the initiative, others indicate that support remains around 60 per vent, creating a confusing picture. The Voice to Parliament is an important aspiration for First Nations people in Australia, but the debate surrounding the referendum has become toxic, with conservative groups disseminating misinformation to undermine its success. Beneath these layers of deception, the underlying reason for this strategy is a disturbing undercurrent of racism that is becoming more overt and brazen.
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FAQ
How many episodes does New Politics: Australian Politics have?
New Politics: Australian Politics currently has 236 episodes available.
What topics does New Politics: Australian Politics cover?
The podcast is about News, News Commentary, Podcasts and Politics.
What is the most popular episode on New Politics: Australian Politics?
The episode title 'Raise the rate! NDIS, the pre-Budget lull and Dutton's LNP tanking in the polls' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on New Politics: Australian Politics?
The average episode length on New Politics: Australian Politics is 43 minutes.
How often are episodes of New Politics: Australian Politics released?
Episodes of New Politics: Australian Politics are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of New Politics: Australian Politics?
The first episode of New Politics: Australian Politics was released on May 28, 2018.
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