New Politics: Australian Politics, News, Analysis & Commentary

Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au   This week, we discuss the growing Anzac Day culture war in Australia, from booing at Dawn Services and Welcome to Country ceremonies to the rising influence of right-wing groups like Advance Australia and Fight for Australia, and ask how a solemn commemoration of the 8,700 Australians who died at Gallipoli has been reshaped into a platform for right-wing political messaging, identity politics and nationalist rhetoric. We examine the role of Gina Rinehart and the impact of media power, political donations and organisations such as the Institute of Public Affairs, the Liberal Party and One Nation in redefining Anzac Day, while contrasting this with the working-class origins of the original Anzacs and the often-overlooked service of more than 1,300 Indigenous Australians in World War I. As Anzac Day becomes increasingly politicised and resistant to criticism, we explore whether it can remain a respectful national day of remembrance or if it has been captured by ideological interests shaping Australia’s political and cultural debate.  #AUSPOL 

www.newpolitics.com.au  

Support New Politics: 
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Song listing:
‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.
‘No More Heroes’, Asgeir (The Stranglers).

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.