New Politics: Australian Politics, News, Analysis & Commentary

Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au
Today on the New Politics podcast, we examine Australia’s stalled debate over a 25% gas export tax and why major tax reform continues to be blocked despite strong economic evidence and growing public support, with many experts warning the nation is getting a poor return on its natural resources. A gas export tax could raise around $20 billion a year to fund health, education, the NDIS, housing and essential public services, yet remains politically sidelined due to the influence of the gas lobby and entrenched vested interests. We explore the ongoing failure to deliver structural reform, including hesitation around negative gearing, and assess whether the Albanese government has the political will to act ahead of the federal Budget, or if Australia will once again miss its chance to secure a fairer tax system and ensure Australians benefit from their own resources. #AUSPOL

www.newpolitics.com.au

Support New Politics:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics
Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com
Song listing:
‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au 
This week on the New Politics podcast, we examine Australia’s escalating crackdown on protest rights after arrests in Brisbane over the phrase “from the river to the sea,” raising serious concerns about free speech, anti-protest laws, and democratic freedoms. We explore how legislation in Queensland and New South Wales is targeting pro-Palestine activism, the role of political figures like David Crisafulli and Chris Minns, and why unconstitutional laws are being struck down by the courts. We also connect these issues to rising defence spending, the $368 billion AUKUS deal, cuts to the NDIS, and Australia’s deepening alignment with US foreign policy, highlighting growing questions about sovereignty, accountability, and national priorities. 
www.newpolitics.com.au
#AUSPOL

Support New Politics:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics
Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com
Song listing:
‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

Populism in Australian politics is usually framed as a right-wing force led by figures like Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce, but this episode explores the potential of left-wing populism and the role of the Australian Greens. We unpack populism as a political strategy used across the spectrum – from Bernie Sanders to Hugo Chávez – and examine the divide between right-wing identity politics and left-wing economic reform focused on inequality, housing affordability, wages and corporate power. As conservative voices dominate mainstream media, we ask why progressive ideas remain marginalised despite broad public support, and whether the Greens’ shift under Max Chandler-Mather signals a more assertive, pro-worker strategy ahead of the next federal election. #AUSPOL

www.newpolitics.com.au

Support New Politics:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics
Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  

Song listing:
‘A Whisper’, Coldplay.
‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

Australia’s immigration debate is entering dangerous territory, with the Coalition’s proposed “values-based” migration system – featuring social media surveillance and ideological vetting – highlighting a shift towards right-wing populism, culture wars and the Trumpification of Australian politics.

Angus Taylor and the Liberal Party are moving away from economic management and towards nationalism and divisive immigration rhetoric, despite these strategies being rejected at the 2025 federal election, and this mirrors global conservative trends from Donald Trump in the US to Reform UK and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. We explore the risks to civil liberties, freedom of speech and political bias, question who defines “Australian values” in a multicultural society, and look at the targeting of Muslim communities, pro-Palestinian voices and non-European migrants.

With analysis of recent election results, including the South Australian election, we assess whether attempts to outflank One Nation will only legitimise fringe politics and split the conservative vote, arguing that voters are increasingly rejecting fear-driven narratives in favour of real economic and social solutions. #AUSPOL

www.newpolitics.com.au

Support New Politics: 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics
Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  

Song listing:
‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.
‘Yesterday’s Gone’, Beth Orton & William Orbit.

The arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith on five counts of alleged war crimes has reignited a fierce debate in Australian politics over military accountability, the rule of law and the legacy of the Afghanistan war. We look at the political, legal and cultural fallout, as reactions from Pauline Hanson, Gina Rinehart and Kerry Stokes expose deep divisions in how Australia understands war, justice and national identity. With millions spent on his defence and a media narrative shaped by nationalism and the Anzac legend, we examine whether the country is willing to confront allegations of civilian murders, the case of whistleblower David McBride and the broader questions around transparency, accountability and whether exposing wrongdoing is being punished more harshly than the alleged crimes themselves. 

www.newpolitics.com.au 

#AUSPOL 

Support New Politics:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics

Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

Song listing:
‘War’, Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.