New Politics: Australian Politics

In this episode, we examine whether the political fragmentation that has transformed Australia’s right could eventually spread to the progressive centre-left, and whether the Australian Democrats could play a role in that shift. David Lewis speaks with Australian Democrats President Leonie Green about the party’s push to return to Parliament, its strategy for the Victorian election and the Senate, and the structural barriers facing minor parties in Australian politics. We also explore the dominance of Labor, the decline of the Coalition, the rise of independents and One Nation, and the continuing debate over whether there is room for a pragmatic centrist party focused on accountability, electoral reform, and keeping the bastards honest in a volatile new era of Australian democracy. #AUSPOL  

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

The South Australian election has reshaped Australian politics – but not in the way the mainstream media suggests. In this episode, we break down Labor’s landslide victory under Premier Peter Malinauskas, the collapse of the Liberal Party, and the widely overstated rise of One Nation, which secured 22% of the primary vote but only one lower house seat.

We examine how Australia’s preferential voting system works, why minor parties like One Nation and the Australian Greens struggle to convert votes into seats, and whether electoral reform or proportional representation could deliver a more representative democracy.

We also analyse the media’s role in amplifying right-wing populism, the shifting dynamics within the conservative vote, and what these results mean for the future of Australian politics, including Labor’s dominance, the potential for political realignment, and the growing fragmentation of the party system.   #AUSPOL  

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

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

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/newpolitics

Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

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

A global oil shock is shaking the world economy – caused by the US and Israel – and Australia is already feeling the impact, with petrol prices pushing towards $3 per litre, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and growing fears of a recession. In this episode, we examine how US and Israel strikes on Iran have disrupted global supply chains, destabilised energy markets, and exposed Australia’s economic vulnerability.

We connect the chaos of military strategy with Donald Trump’s “America First” trade policies, showing how geopolitical instability is driving oil price volatility and economic uncertainty. There’s also the unintended consequences for global technology supply chains, AI development, and Taiwan’s semiconductor production, alongside a shift away from US-led co-ordination as countries secure their own energy deals.

Australia is now on the front line of a global crisis it didn’t create, but what does this all mean for our economic future, including energy policy, renewable transition, and structural reform?   #AUSPOL

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

Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

Song 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/newpolitics
Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  

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