New Politics: Australian Politics - An awful week in politics, fixing housing and is the Voice To Parliament really in trouble?

An awful week in politics, fixing housing and is the Voice To Parliament really in trouble?

06/16/23 • 59 min

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We should never underestimate the lengths to which the Liberal Party will go, or how low they will stoop, in order to gain a political advantage. This was evident in one of the most distressing weeks in federal Parliament in a long time: they exploited their own act of covering up allegations of sexual assault in Parliament House in 2019 and attempted to shift the blame onto Senator Katy Gallagher, accusing her of misleading Parliament during a Senate hearing. The real issue here is the mistreatment of a woman – Brittany Higgins – who was sexually assaulted, and the Liberal Party has decided that they cannot go low enough to seek advantage. However, the Liberal Party’s tactics backfired, and by the end of the week, the focus was on Liberal Party Senator David Van, who faced allegations of sexual harassment and assault by several women Senators and was subsequently asked to resign from Parliament.
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.

Previous Episode

Roberts-Smith, wasted billions, Senator Hanson-Young and News Corp inquiry, and ending HECS debts

In this episode, we delve into the significant events that have unfolded in the political landscape during the week. We start with the explosive findings from the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case, which confirmed the truth behind shocking allegations, including civilian murders in Afghanistan and disturbing behaviour towards a woman.
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.

Next Episode

Greens stall Labor’s housing fund, strange alliances on the Voice, Dutton's makeover, Lambie ADF move, RBA’s bad inflation plan

In this episode, we explore the Housing Australia Future Fund legislation, which has been delayed in the Senate by the Australian Greens and the Liberal Party, despite the pressing national housing crisis. We discuss the implications and the justifiability of this delay in addressing the urgent issue.
We look at the approved Referendum for a Voice to Parliament legislation, highlighting the significance of this milestone in a historically challenging journey. We analyse the controversial decision of Senator Lidia Thorpe to campaign against the Voice to Parliament, forming an unexpected alliance with the Liberal Party, the National Party, and One Nation. We explore the reasons behind this collaboration and the debate surrounding the adequacy of the proposed legislation.
Peter Dutton is undergoing an image makeover and, like many leaders before him, seeks to present a more appealing persona to the electorate. We dissect the strategies employed by political leaders to shape public perception, but it might be lost cause for Dutton, who doesn’t appear to have to much time available to him, to turn these perceptions around.
Next, we turn our attention to Senator Jackie Lambie, who has taken the bold step of referring the Australian Defence Force to the International Criminal Court over their actions in Afghanistan. We discuss the lack of accountability for the killing of 39 Afghan civilians by Australian special forces and the importance of shedding light on such incidents, and examine the delicate balance between government-military relations and the need for transparency in addressing war crimes.
The Reserve Bank’s recent announcement of their strategy to reduce inflation by increasing the unemployment rate, has drawn strong criticism. We evaluate the neoliberal economic theory behind this tactic, which relies on higher unemployment to create job market competition and suppress wages. We question the sustainability and societal impact of such measures and propose alternative economic models for consideration.
Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of politics, shedding light on the critical issues at hand and exploring the potential solutions: a thought-provoking episode that aims to unravel the layers of drama and decision-making in the realm of federal politics! #auspol #VoiceToParliament