New Politics: Australian Politics

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/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong 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?   #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong 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/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

What happens when a global superpower launches a military operation intended to demonstrate dominance but instead reveals the limits of its power? In this episode, we examine the escalating US–Iran conflict, the shifting balance of power in the Middle East, and the growing risk that Australia could be drawn into another US-led war.As tensions rise following US strikes on Iran, the episode explores the weakening of the post-World War II order, the challenge posed by emerging powers such as China, Russia and the BRICS bloc, and the influence of ideology in American foreign policy.We also analyse Australia's expanding defence integration with the United States through AUKUS, the deployment of Australian Defence Force personnel to the region, and the deeper question confronting Canberra: does Australia truly have strategic independence, or is it permanently tied to Washington's global conflicts?   #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

Israel and the United States have launched another attack on Iran, dramatically escalating tensions across the Middle East and raising serious questions about international law, global stability and the credibility of the so-called rules-based international order. In this episode, we examine the latest developments in the Israel–Iran conflict, including the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel and US military bases across Western Asia.   We also analyse the legal and political implications of the attack, Australia's response under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and the broader strategic context – from the legacy of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and Donald Trump's “peace through war” rhetoric to ongoing calls for regime change in Tehran.   We discuss why military analysts consider Iran one of the most difficult countries in the world to invade, and what Australia's alliance with the United States and Israel means as the Middle East crisis deepens.   #AUSPOL  Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

In this episode, we examine Donald Trump's proposed “Board of Peace” and what it means for Gaza, Palestine, Israel and the future of international law. Promoted as a reconstruction and peacekeeping plan after the devastation of Gaza since October 2023, the initiative raises serious questions about privatised rebuilding, geopolitical power, and the exclusion of Palestinian self-determination. Drawing parallels with the Iraq War and the terrible legacy of Tony Blair, we explore concerns about corruption, global governance, Australia's foreign policy, and whether this is truly peace in the Middle East – or a new model of war and reconstruction politics.   #AUSPOL  Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.‘Dayvan Cowboy', Boards Of Canada.

In this episode, we examine the new Shadow Cabinet and ask whether the Liberal Party's latest leadership change represents genuine renewal or simply a rebranding of the same conservative messaging that led to heavy defeats in the 2022 and 2025 federal elections. Promising lower taxes, smaller government and tougher immigration settings, Taylor's rhetoric echoes the Dutton and Morrison era, raising questions about whether the Coalition has learned from its electoral collapse. We look at the early stumbles, the return of culture-war politics, and looming battles over immigration, negative gearing, capital gains tax and housing affordability – and consider whether Labor will resist a rightward shift in Australian federal politics or continue playing it safe while the agenda is set by its opponents. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

Today on New Politics, we explore the escalating crisis inside the Liberal Party following the leadership elevation of Angus Taylor and ask whether the Coalition can recover from its devastating 2025 federal election defeat. With internal splits over gun control after the Bondi attacks, the breakdown between the Liberals and Nationals, mass shadow ministry resignations under Sussan Ley, and Barnaby Joyce's defection to One Nation, Australia's conservative movement is facing its most serious instability in decades. As Pauline Hanson's One Nation surges in the opinion polls and the Liberals slump to historic lows, we examine whether this is a repeat of the 1990s leadership turmoil or something far more structural. We also analyse the rise of right-wing populism, the influence of Gina Rinehart, and what this fragmentation means for the Albanese Labor government and the future of Australian federal politics. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

This today's episode of the New Politics podcast, we explore the political firestorm surrounding Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney and why it became a nationwide flashpoint over Gaza, free speech, protest rights and Australia's foreign policy. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke of “social cohesion”, tens of thousands protested in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and more than 30 cities, opposing Australia's bipartisan support for Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank. We examine allegations of war crimes, apartheid and genocide raised by international organisations, the rapid expansion of hate speech laws – including proposed bans on phrases such as “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada” – and concerns about political influence, lobbying, defence ties and democratic rights in Australia. Is criticism of Israel and Zionism being conflated with antisemitism? And has Australia compromised its commitment to human rights and free expression in pursuit of alliance politics?   #AUSPOL  Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

In this episode, we examine Australia's newly passed anti-hate speech laws and ask when protecting communities crosses the line into criminalising dissent. Rushed through parliament after the Bondi terror attack, the legislation introduces the vague concept of “psychological harm”, raising serious concerns about free speech, the right to protest and the ability to criticise foreign governments.Will accusing the Israeli government of genocide, war crimes or apartheid against Palestinians now be deemed unlawful if offence is claimed? And what this means for journalists, activists, podcasters and ordinary citizens?We also look at the political pressure behind the laws, including lobbying around the IHRA definition of antisemitism, selective enforcement against pro-Palestine protests, the cancellation of cultural events such as the Adelaide Writers' Festival, and growing fears that subjective feelings are being elevated over democratic rights as Australia moves toward policing dissent rather than defending it. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

In this episode, we examine growing global concern over the United States as political instability and erratic leadership under President Donald Trump increasingly undermine the post-1945 international order. From the future of the United Nations, NATO, the IMF and the World Trade Organisation, to flashpoints such as the removal of Venezuela's president and threats to seize Greenland, we ask whether the world is being forced to imagine a geopolitical future without reliable US leadership. Placing Trump's second term within a broader pattern of populist strongman politics, and reflecting on Mark Carney's warning at Davos, the episode argues that the greatest threat to America's power may now be internal – and the consequences are global. #AUSPOL  Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

In this long-read episode, we revisit Australia's anti-Semitism report from July 2025 and the growing politics of fear surrounding protest, free speech, and criticisms of Israel. As new federal anti-hate and anti-Semitism laws are rushed through parliament following the Bondi attacks and high-profile incidents in Melbourne, this episode asks whether these measures are genuinely about protecting communities or about silencing dissent. We explore the Segal report, the proposed adoption of the IHRA definition, and the conflation of anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, drawing on recent Federal Court rulings to challenge media narratives, selective outrage, and the expansion of police powers. With Gaza at the centre of global protest over war crimes and genocide, this episode argues that criminalising political speech, protest, and solidarity with Palestinians undermines democracy itself – because opposing apartheid, state violence, and genocide is not hate, but an act of political conscience. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

Donald Trump's second presidency has exposed the United States' rapid slide into authoritarianism, with chaos, corruption and unchecked executive power now defining American politics. In this long-read episode, we examine how Trump's return to the White House has accelerated democratic collapse, normalised fascistic policies and reshaped global power – and what this means for Australia. As the US declines under political instability and imperial overreach, and China rises in the Indo–Pacific, we ask whether Australia should remain locked into ANZUS and AUKUS or finally pursue an independent foreign policy aligned with its region and national interests. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

In this holiday episode, we cut through the noise surrounding calls for a Royal Commission into the Bondi attack and ask whether the process is truly about accountability or has become a vehicle for political pressure. With an independent review already underway, led by respected former diplomat Dennis Richardson and examining the actions of ASIO and the Australian Federal Police, we question whether a Royal Commission is necessary or risks becoming a highly politicised inquiry with unclear objectives. We explore how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been placed in an impossible position – where any decision is framed as weakness – particularly given his past support for Palestine and his government's recognition of the Palestinian state, while noting that past tragedies such as Port Arthur and the Lindt Café siege, along with ongoing crises like domestic violence against women and media ownership in Australia, have never prompted Royal Commissions. The episode also examines the growing influence of pro-Israel and Zionist lobby groups, the use of antisemitism accusations to shut down debate, and the broader implications for free speech, democratic accountability, and Australian politics. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

After its emphatic 2025 election victory, the Albanese Labor government entered the year with overwhelming parliamentary dominance and a clear mandate to govern boldly. On paper, it was a government with every advantage imaginable. Yet despite this strength, Labor has continued to govern cautiously – reluctant to take risks, overly attached to bipartisanship with a fractured Coalition, and hesitant to translate power into decisive reform. In this episode, we examine the growing gap between authority and action, and the political myth that a government's “second year” automatically delivers bold change. Drawing on recent history and Labor's own record so far, we ask whether 2026 will finally be the year of decisive reform – or whether Labor is waiting for a big bang that may never come. #AUSPOL The New Politics series of long-read essays, from our new publication, The Monday Essays.Support New Politics:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

This long-read audio essay examines the vilification of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the Bondi Beach memorial, and how national mourning was turned into a partisan spectacle. It explores how antisemitism, public safety and the Israel–Palestine debate have been politicised by the Israel lobby, conservative media and the right, trapping the Labor government in an impossible bind. Challenging the “done nothing” claim, the episode outlines the extensive security, legal and education measures delivered since October 2023, and argues that Albanese's weakness was not indifference, but caution – appeasement in a moral crisis driven by outrage and absolutism. #AUSPOL  Support New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

2025 was the year the comforting myths finally fell away. In this long-read essay, we trace how democratic institutions – globally and in Australia – proved far more fragile than many assumed, as misinformation, authoritarian politics and media failure reshaped the political landscape. From Trump's return and Elon Musk's political interference, to the catastrophic war on Gaza and Australia's own shallow election campaign, the year exposed a deep crisis of leadership, media courage and moral clarity. Yet amid the disillusionment, there are faint but real signs of renewal: growing scepticism of mainstream media, the rise of independent voices, and a questioning of Australia's place in a changing world. This long-read episode asks a simple but urgent question: at the crossroads revealed in 2025, will Australia choose to continue to drift, or seek a democratic renewal? #AUSPOLSupport New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:‘La Femme d'Argent', AIR.

Australia enters 2026 facing deep strategic uncertainty: AUKUS costs have blown out to $1.3 billion with little clarity about what Australia is actually buying, while fear-driven national-security politics – from Richard Marles' exaggerated warnings about a Chinese “flotilla” to unconstitutional anti-protest laws in NSW and creeping police-state powers in Victoria – continue to erode democratic accountability. As governments amplify threats, expand surveillance and silence dissent, the mainstream media has drifted further into PR and censorship, from the National Press Club cancelling Chris Hedges to the Sydney Morning Herald publishing misleading reporting used to attack Anthony Albanese.   And despite its historic 2025 landslide, Labor still governs cautiously, clinging to bipartisanship, avoiding bold reforms on climate, housing and integrity, and remaining wary of collaboration with the Greens even where their agendas align. With Australia bound tightly to US security interests, distracted by culture wars and hollow media coverage, and hesitant to use its political dominance for meaningful change, the question heading into 2026 is whether the country can shift from fear and dependency towards genuine strategic independence and confident, democratic governance. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘Let Me Entertain You', Robbie Williams.‘Swing For The Crime', Ed Kuepper.‘Satellite Anthem Icarus', Boards of Canada.‘Off The Grid', Beastie Boys.‘Yesterday's Gone', Beth Orton & William Orbit.

As the United States slides into institutional decay under Donald Trump's return to the White House – with sweeping tariffs on global trade, mass deportations, rolled-back civil rights and an increasingly authoritarian style – Australia has failed to confront the strategic danger of relying on an erratic superpower. Instead of using this moment to diversify towards Asia, Europe and the Global South, Canberra is fixated on whether Anthony Albanese could secure a photo-op in the Oval Office, while signing critical-minerals deals and celebrating AUKUS announcements that overwhelmingly benefit the US. With Pine Gap's secret intelligence role, billions of dollars in rare-earth exports and deep defence integration, Australia's supposed “sovereign choices” look increasingly constrained. The deeper question – how Australia protects its national interest when US democracy is eroding – was never asked, leaving the country more dependent than ever and no closer to a genuinely independent foreign policy. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

In our continuing review of the 2025 year in Australian federal politics, we discuss the federal election held in May, analysing one of the worst campaigns by a major political party in modern history and the resulting collapse of the Liberal Party, including the loss of Peter Dutton's seat. We examine how Anthony Albanese's Labor government ran a cautious but disciplined campaign built on stability and competence, while the Coalition relied on fear, culture-war outrage and an implausible nuclear energy policy that drove its primary vote and seat count to historic lows, leaving the party stranded in political wilderness.We also look at Australia's weak and deliberate silence on the genocide in Gaza during the campaign, Labor's continued supply of military components to Israel, its refusal to impose sanctions, and the abandonment of core party principles under lobby pressure – and then go on to expose the growing influence of the Israel lobby across politics, media, universities and cultural institutions, and what this means for free speech, academic freedom, journalism and democratic accountability in Australia. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics, just $5 per month.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

To commence our review of the 2025 year in Australian federal politics, this bonus episode examines the continuing culture wars, the Australia Day and Invasion Day debate, and a federal election that dramatically reshaped the political landscape. We explore how Peter Dutton and conservative commentators attempted to weaponise “wokeness,” cancel culture and identity politics, why these tactics are increasingly ineffective, and how Victoria's historic Treaty with First Nations people exposed the emptiness of Liberal Party scare campaigns. #AUSPOL Support New Politics, just $5 per month.   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

In the final week of Parliament, New Politics asks a blunt question about Australian federal politics: what is the Albanese Labor government actually for? This episode turns its focus to Labor's record in office, examining stalled gambling advertising reform, public service and CSIRO job cuts, tensions with the Australian Greens, and the growing gap between election promises and policy delivery. We explore rising inflation, falling productivity, weak investment, mining superprofits, gas export contracts, and the long shadow of Howard-era economic decisions, alongside Labor's contradictory approach to climate policy, coal and gas expansion, and slow environmental reform. From energy prices and domestic gas reservation to housing policy, HECS, the failed Voice referendum and a weakened National Anti-Corruption Commission, this episode argues that competence without reform is not enough — and asks whether a managerial Labor government risks squandering a historic opportunity for structural change.Support New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

We look at the political theatre of the right, including Pauline Hanson's latest burqa stunt in the Senate, the rise of One Nation in the polls, and the growing battle for reactionary votes between minor parties and a hollowed-out Liberal Party. In an environment increasingly defined by provocation, stunts and nihilism, we cut through the noise to ask where Australian politics is heading.Support New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

This week, we examine how the Liberal Party has abandoned serious policy for retail politics, scare campaigns and culture-war theatrics – strategies aimed at clawing back voters drifting to One Nation but which are instead eroding the party from within. After rejecting net-zero by 2050, the Liberals have pivoted to anti-immigration rhetoric, blaming migrants for traffic congestion, housing pressures and energy prices, despite net migration returning to pre-COVID norms and mirroring the Howard era. With new Redbridge polling showing One Nation rising to 18 per cent as the LNP slips into the low-20s, the right is becoming an echo chamber of grievance politics, far-right messaging and internal chaos, highlighted by the exits of Brad Battin, Leanne Castley and Mark Speakman during the November killing season.We also unpack the escalating battle over hospital funding, as the Albanese government pushes productivity reforms before lifting the federal share to 42.5 per cent, while states warn of hospitals nearing breaking point. And with housing policy similarly gridlocked, Australia faces more buck-passing, worsening services and federal–state dysfunction unless real structural reform finally occurs.Support New Politics, just $5 per week:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

In this bonus episode, we examine the UN Security Council's approval of a US-designed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza – effectively handing Washington, and Donald Trump as chair of the new “Board of Peace”, unprecedented power over Gaza's future. With Palestinians excluded from the planning and conditions stacked in Israel's favour, this plan risks entrenching occupation rather than delivering justice. With 70,000 Palestinians killed, 2 million displaced, and Gaza's hospitals, schools and infrastructure destroyed, reconstruction cannot succeed without accountability for Israeli war crimes – yet the plan ignores this entirely.Support New Politics, just $5 per week:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

In this episode of the New Politics podcast, we look at Australia's broken political structures and rising extremism – from the renewed debate over four-year federal terms and a constitution stuck in the 1890s, to the disturbing double standards in NSW policing after an authorised neo-Nazi rally was allowed to proceed while pro-Palestine protesters were violently suppressed, and finally the Liberal Party's internal “killing season”, where chaos over net-zero, gender quotas and leadership instability shows a party drifting further from the electorate. We explore why constitutional reform matters, why hate-speech laws aren't being used against white supremacists, and how the Coalition's refusal to adapt to modern Australia – on climate, multiculturalism and democratic rights – is pushing it towards long-term electoral irrelevance.Support New Politics, just $5 per week: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

In this bonus episode of the New Politics podcast, we look at the ghost of Gough Whitlam and ask whether a visionary like Whitlam – who delivered universal healthcare, free tertiary education, multiculturalism, women's rights and First Nations recognition – could even survive in today's poll-driven, faction-controlled Labor Party. Fifty years after the Dismissal, Australia is still affected by the events from 1975, with Labor, Liberal and National parties offering tiny differences while the public demands real reform on housing, climate, health and education. We explore what a Whitlam government would look like in 2024 – cancelling AUKUS, recognising Palestine, expanding Medicare, rebuilding the ABC and pushing for a republic – and why the lessons learned from the Dismissal turned Labor into a cautious managerial party afraid of bold ideas. Whitlam's legacy reminds us that government can transform lives, and that Australian politics desperately needs the ambition, imagination and courage that has been forgotten. Support New Politics, just $5 per week:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com

(00:00:00) The War on Dissent and Socialism USA (00:01:12) Beautiful, Menacing, and Obscene: Australia's Addiction to War (00:18:18) Robodebt Reborn: The Cruelty That Never Dies (00:29:56) Treaty and Truth: A New Beginning in Victoria (00:43:07) Socialism in the City: Zohran Mamdani's Revolution in New York We expose Australia's growing contradictions – a nation that talks peace while funding war, promises compassion while reviving cruelty, and talks justice while fearing equality. From Sydney's taxpayer-funded arms expo where protesters were pepper-sprayed by police, to Labor's quiet revival of Robodebt through private debt collectors, this episode reveals how state power is being weaponised against dissent and the vulnerable. We also cover Victoria's historic Treaty with First Nations peoples, a breakthrough in truth-telling and Reconciliation now under threat from conservative backlash, and the election of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York's first Muslim and African-born mayor – a victory for conviction politics over corporate control.Support and celebrate New Politics, just $5 per week:   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:   ‘Stranger In Moscow', Tame Impala.‘Swing For The Crime', Ed Kuepper.‘The King Is Dead', The Herd.‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

(00:00:00) The Great Environmental Backflip and the Joy Division (00:01:09) Green Light, Red Flags: Labor's Environmental Backdown (00:16:40) Nuclear Déjà Vu: The Coalition's Broken Record (00:29:26) Between Beijing and Washington: Albanese at ASEAN (00:41:10) Culture Wars on Vinyl: The Joy Division Distraction We examine one of the biggest environmental retreats in years as the Albanese government prepares to hand decision-making powers on coal, gas and water projects back to the states, gutting environmental protection and empowering the fossil-fuel lobby. It's supposedly about “cutting red tape,” but critics say it's a green light for mining giants and a betrayal of Labor's climate promises. We also assess the new “national interest” override, the anger from NT Aboriginal land councils, and the government's growing resemblance to the Morrison era. Meanwhile, the Coalition revives its nuclear energy obsession as Senator Jane Hume pushes to lift Australia's nuclear ban, reigniting divisions between Barnaby Joyce and the moderates. Plus, Anthony Albanese's balancing act at the ASEAN summit – caught between China and the US – and Sussan Ley's bizarre attack on the Prime Minister for wearing a Joy Division T-shirt. Sharp analysis, politics without spin, and all the week's contradictions in Australian politics.Support New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘Bonnie And Clyde', Serge Gainsbourg (French Accent remix).‘Satellite Anthem Icarus, Boards of Canada.‘Love Will Tear Us Apart', Joy Division.‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

(00:00:00) Alliance Games and the Price of Truth (00:01:09) The Albanese–Trump Deal and the $8.5 Billion handshake (17 mins) (00:18:46) Sparks Over The South China Sea (11 mins) (00:29:56) Barnaby Joyce and One Nation: Who Really Cares (8 mins) (00:38:45) A Ceasefire That Still Kills in Gaza (5 mins) (00:43:35) The ABC Hatchet Job on Hedges (15 mins) Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's long-awaited meeting with Donald Trump delivers smiles, handshakes and a critical minerals deal that deepens Australia's dependence on Washington. Beneath the diplomacy lies a bigger story – how this deal sidelines China, fuels the mining magnates and leaves Australia as the world's quarry. Meanwhile, rising tensions in the South China Sea, Barnaby Joyce's flirtation with Pauline Hanson's One Nation, and the collapse of the Gaza “ceasefire” expose a world of political theatre and moral failure. From AUKUS to media censorship and Chris Hedges' fight for truth, this episode dissects power, propaganda and the high price of speaking out.Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘Spitfire', Public Service Broadcasting.‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.‘Dātura', Tori Amos.‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

In this week's podcast, Labor's superannuation retreat exposes a government afraid to lead – Treasurer Jim Chalmers' watered-down super tax gives wealthy Australians another break while real reform on housing, climate and tax fairness slips further away. We examine the bizarre corruption scandal of the Australian Parliamentary Sports Club – with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presiding over a registered lobby group – and the vindictive legal crusade of former senator Linda Reynolds against Brittany Higgins, highlighting Australia's broken defamation laws. Plus, Donald Trump's so-called Gaza “ceasefire” reveals more illusion than peace, as Israel's narrative control collapses and global calls for justice and accountability grow louder.Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘Off The Grid', Beastie Boys.‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.‘Talking To A Stranger', Birds of Tokyo (cover).‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

We expose the hypocrisy behind the National Press Club's cancellation of Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Chris Hedges, silenced for planning to speak about the collapse of journalism and the genocide in Gaza. We reveal how corporate sponsors like Raytheon, BAE Systems and Thales – all supplying weapons to Israel – help shape media censorship in Australia's so-called home of free speech. We also examine the Optus Triple-0 outage, which blocked hundreds of emergency calls and caused three preventable deaths, highlighting the failure of neoliberalism and the dangers of outsourcing essential public services. And as the Liberal Party descends further into chaos, with Andrew Hastie's aborted leadership challenge, Jacinta Price's infighting and Peter Dutton's factional damage, we ask whether Australia's conservative movement is now ideologically bankrupt and politically finished. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘All I Need', AIR (feat. Beth Hirsch).‘Ameno', +eRa+.‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

Anthony Albanese is back from his international tour, pitching stability and steady progress – but is “slow and steady” enough, or just political stagnation? We unpack the prime minister's speeches at the UK Labour conference, his meeting with King Charles, and what his cautious style means for Australia's future. Labor may have the advantage of a fractured Liberal Party, but with Andrew Hastie pushing a hard-right agenda and Sussan Ley struggling to hold her party together, the opposition's leadership battles could shift quickly. We also examine Labor's $790 million Nauru contract with a US private prison company, concerns over the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the so-called Gaza peace plan backed by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu – a deal that looks more like forced surrender than genuine peace. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: Song listing: ‘Atomic Moog 2000', Cold Cut.‘Crooked River', Richard Pleasance. ‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

America's democratic decline under Donald Trump's second term is reshaping global politics – institutions are undermined, conspiracy theories drive policy, and US credibility is collapsing on the world stage. As China, Russia, India, and Brazil strengthen BRICS alliances, Australia faces tough choices on AUKUS, tariffs, and its role in a fractured order. While the media obsesses over Anthony Albanese's “date” with Trump, the bigger story is Australia's recognition of Palestine at the UN, a symbolic but historic shift signalling cracks in decades of Western obstruction and reshaping global debates on justice, sovereignty, and accountability. Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘Living In America', James Brown (Mixerm8's dub version).‘Satellite Anthem Icarus, Boards of Canada.‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

Australia's first national climate risk assessment warns of rising seas, deadly heat, and collapsing ecosystems, raising doubts about whether Anthony Albanese's 2035 emissions target is bold enough. Meanwhile, the Royal Children's Hospital caves to Zionist lobby pressure, cancelling a Gaza-related health panel as the UN declares Israel guilty of genocide. Abroad, Albanese falters in Papua New Guinea, Richard Marles unveils $1.7 billion Ghost Shark drones, and the Coalition sinks further into political chaos. #AUSPOL #ClimateEmergencySupport New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.‘Wherever We Go', Vera Blue. ‘Hungry Face', Mogwai. ‘The Hard Road', Hilltop Hoods. ‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

In this bonus episode of the New Politics podcast, host David Lewis unpacks Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) – once dismissed as fringe but now at the centre of global economic debate. We explore its intellectual roots, from Georg Friedrich Knapp and Abba Lerner to modern voices like Warren Mosler, Bill Mitchell, L. Randall Wray and Stephanie Kelton, and examine how MMT shapes today's policy battles over climate change, unemployment and inequality. From Japan's record debt levels to US COVID stimulus, Canada's healthcare experiments and China's infrastructure spending, real-world tests are mounting, sparking fierce clashes between advocates who see MMT as a tool for resilience and critics who warn of runaway inflation. Is it the future of economic management or a dangerous illusion?#ModernMonetaryTheory #MMTExplained #EconomicsPodcast #FiscalPolicy2025 #GreenNewDeal #GlobalEconomyReading list:Kelton, S. (2020). The deficit myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the birth of the people's economy. PublicAffairs.Knapp, G. F. (1905). The state theory of money. Macmillan.Lerner, A. P. (1943). Functional finance and the federal debt. Social Research, 10(1), 38–51.Levy Economics Institute. (2025). The rise of the modern monetary system (Working Paper No. 1234). Levy Economics Institute of Bard College. https://www.levyinstitute.org/publications/the-rise-of-the-modern-monetary-systemMitchell, W. (2025, August 8). The failure of austerity and the construction slowdown in the UK [Blog post]. Bill Mitchell – Modern Monetary Theory. https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=62704Mitchell, W., Wray, L. R., & Watts, M. (2019). Macroeconomics. Red Globe Press.Murphy, R. P. (2025). MMT: Dead wrong [Audio podcast episode]. Mises Institute Podcast. Mises Institute. https://mises.org/library/mmt-dead-wrongPalley, T. I. (2019). Modern Monetary Theory (MMT): A policy polemic for depressed times. Real-World Economics Review, 89, 147–160. http://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/issue89/Palley89.pdfPhys.org. (2025, May 15). Economist: Modern Monetary Theory could benefit Canada. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-modern-monetary-theory-economist-canada.htmlTcherneva, P. R. (2020). The case for a job guarantee. Polity Press.Wray, L. R. (2015). Modern Monetary Theory: A primer on macroeconomics for sovereign monetary systems (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

This week, we expose Australia's latest media hysteria: Xi Jinping's speech to commemorate defeating fascism in 1945 mistranslated into a China scare campaign, recycled “Dictator Dan” attacks on Daniel Andrews, Jacinta Price's divisive immigration comments sparking outrage and more Liberal Party chaos, the Zionist intimidation at Bondi Beach, Lachlan Murdoch's takeover of News Corporation, and Victoria's historic Indigenous Treaty.  #AusPol #ChinaRelations #JacintaPrice #LiberalParty #FreePalestine #MurdochMedia #VictoriaTreaty #NewPoliticsPodcast  Support New Politics, just $5 per week.   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Arion [Nothing Changes Under The Sun]', Blue States.‘A Stranger In Moscow', Tame Impala.‘Kya Kyana', Flewnt.‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.

The “March for Australia” rallies claimed to be about housing and migration, but quickly exposed themselves as platforms for white nationalism, racism, and neo-Nazi activity. We break down how politicians, right-wing media, and even the Prime Minister's weak response helped legitimise extremism, while also exposing the pro-Israel propaganda behind the Gold Coast Mayors Summit and Labor's growing secrecy on FOI, asylum seekers, and whistleblower protections. What kind of democracy does Australia really want?Support New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  #auspol #MarchForAustraliaSong listing:   ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Global Reach', Alec Williams & Chieli Minucci.‘All Along The Watchtower', Afterhere (Bob Dylan cover).‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

Housing affordability dominates the headlines as the Albanese government repackages its 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers, but with global evidence showing such policies push up prices without fixing supply, is this just more political spin? We examine why restrictive zoning, slow planning, and the lack of social housing remain the real barriers to affordable homes, and the government needs to understand that housing is a human right, not just an investment. Australia has expelled Iran's ambassador, but it raises questions about the credibility of ASIO, double standards on Israel's war crimes, and whether this move is linked to Australia's upcoming recognition of Palestine. And the Coalition's climate wars are tearing the party apart yet again, with Nationals MPs, Gina Rinehart, and conservative media undermining net zero while corporate Australia and voters demand action – leaving Sussan Ley's leadership on the brink and Labor with a political gift that just keeps on giving.  #AusPol #HousingCrisis #ClimateChaos #MiddleEastPoliticsSupport New Politics:   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:   ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Man of Constant Sorrow', Skeewiff.‘The Last Goodbye', Odesza.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

We unpack the government's Economic Reform Roundtable, where Anthony Albanese brought together business, unions, and welfare groups to debate productivity, equity, housing, and workplace reform – but with predictable demands and little real change on offer. We examine the growing push for a four-day working week, a reform once dismissed as radical but now backed by evidence of higher productivity, better wellbeing, and lower emissions.On the international stage, Benjamin Netanyahu's attack on Albanese over Palestine recognition backfired, exposing his crumbling authority while highlighting Australia's potential shift towards sanctions and accountability for Israel's actions in Gaza. Back home, Labor consolidates power despite Albanese's low personal popularity, the Liberals under Sussan Ley remain stuck in negativity, and Tasmanian Labor tries to arrest its chaos under new leader Josh Willie.#AusPol #NewPoliticsPodcast #TasPol  Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:   ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.‘Whisper', Coldplay.‘Familiar', Agnes Obel.‘Wild', Spoon.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement that Australia will recognise the state of Palestine at the UN in September marks a historic foreign policy shift, yet conditions are placed solely on Palestine while Israel faces none. This episode examines the unfinished business of UN Resolution 181, Australia's role under ‘Doc' Evatt in 1947, and the urgent need for real action – sanctions, reparations, and accountability for Israel's war crimes – while exposing double standards in the media over the killing of 240 journalists in Gaza. We also analyse the political absurdity of the Liberal Party's reaction to the Reserve Bank's rate cut, the deeper problem of reflex opposition, and the government's secrecy over its climate risk assessment, which reveals billions in climate damage and counterproductive policies that threaten Australia's future.Support New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Dayvan Cowboy', The Boards Of Canada.‘Stonecutters', Dope Lemon.‘Wild', Spoon.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

In this episode of New Politics, we cover the massive Sydney Harbour Bridge protest where up to 300,000 Australians defied torrential rain to demand justice for Palestine, an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza, and immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. We examine the political fallout for NSW Premier Chris Minns, growing dissent within Labor ranks, and the Albanese government's slow, cautious response and vague promises of action. We also unpack a controversial proposal to ban under-16s from social media using invasive ID checks – appeasing Rupert Murdoch rather than protecting children – and explore the overlooked but significant Indigenous economic reforms announced at the Garma Festival. #AUSPOL #MarchForHumanitySupport New Politics, just $5 per month:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘The Hanging Tree', James Newton Howard, with Jennifer Lawrence.‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.‘Take Me Home', A.B. Original & Gurrumul.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

AUKUS turns costly as Australia signs a 50-year treaty with the UK – without US backing. The Nationals reignite the climate wars, aged care reforms are delayed, and Gareth Ward remains in Parliament despite a criminal conviction. Plus, we analyse Australia's tepid response to the crisis in Gaza and growing calls for Palestine recognition.  Support New Politics, just $5 per month:   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Effloresce And Deliquesce', The Chills.‘Dātura', Tori Amos.‘Wherever We Go', Vera Blue.‘Trouble', Vox Noir, SATV Music.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

The first sitting week of Australia's new federal Parliament has begun with a show of strength from the Albanese Labor government, now holding a record-breaking majority. In this episode, we explore what Prime Minister Albanese's “year of delivery” means for health, housing, education and infrastructure – and whether Labor can meet expectations or fall into complacency. We examine the Coalition's ongoing crisis under Sussan Ley, with internal chaos, ideological confusion and media sabotage dragging the party further into irrelevance. We also cover the powerful pro-Palestine protests outside Parliament and question why the government, led by Penny Wong, has focused more on silencing dissent than holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. Plus, we look at the campaign to lower the voting age to 16 in Australia, and what it means for democracy and youth political engagement. And finally, we unpack the result of the Tasmania election and what it reveals about modern power-sharing politics – and Labor's persistent reluctance to work with the Greens. #AUSPOLSupport New Politics. just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Sign O' The Times', Prince, remix by Michael Saxom.‘Talking To A Stranger', Birds of Tokyo (cover).‘Under The Sea', Digby Jones.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

In this episode, we break down a big week in Australian politics – from Anthony Albanese's strategic reset of Australia–China relations through diplomacy and trade, to the Coalition's continued Cold War-style fearmongering and media hysteria over Taiwan. We examine the fallout from the Jillian Segal anti-Semitism report, which critics argue could suppress dissent on Israel and erode democratic freedoms, and question its links to right-wing lobby groups. We also explore Australia's continuing housing crisis, with leaked Treasury figures revealing a likely shortfall of up to 460,000 homes by 2030, and ask whether modular, high-density living can shift the culture of oversized McMansions. Plus, with Tasmania heading to the polls amid chaos, independents on the rise, and major parties refusing alliances, is this the future of post-major-party politics in Australia? Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Just Give 'em Whiskey', Colourbox.‘Bonnie And Clyde', Serge Gainsbourg (French Accent remix).‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

This week, we expose the real costs of privatisation in Australia's essential services – early childhood education, health, aged care, and universities – highlighting how deregulation, outsourcing, and profit-driven policies have undermined safety, quality, and public accountability. We revisit the collapse of ABC Learning, rising fees, unqualified staff, and controversies like Julie Bishop's lavish university spending, asking: has privatisation failed? We also investigate the political response to anti-Semitic incidents following criticism of Israel's war on Gaza, media misreporting of protests, and the government's selective protections. Plus: is Australia truly independent within the US alliance? And what does the RBA's cash rate decision mean for housing, inflation, and working Australians?Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Dayvan Cowboy', The Boards Of Canada.‘All Along the Watchtower', Afterhere (Bob Dylan).‘Fall', Single Gun Theory.‘Get Back', The Beatles (remix).

In this episode, we dissect the media frenzy over whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet US President Donald Trump, arguing that diplomatic theatre won't protect Australia from the fallout of Trump's chaotic trade policies and that Canberra must look beyond Washington to secure its economic future. We cover the police assault on former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas during a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney, exposing how NSW's “Places of Worship” laws and Australia's $4.1 billion F-35 program are being used to suppress dissent while protecting weapons manufacturers. We examine the Liberal Party's deepening gender crisis and propose women-only preselections as a fast-track solution to achieving gender equity in parliament. And we unpack the historic Yoorrook Justice Commission report, which names Australia's treatment of Indigenous peoples in Victoria as genocide, calling for truth-telling, land returns, and systemic reform.Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Global Reach', Alec Williams & Chieli Minucci.‘(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang', Heaven 17 (extended version).‘Bagi-la-m Bargan', Birdz featuring Fred Leone.

In this episode, we examine the United States' bombing of Iranian nuclear sites and Australia's delayed yet predictable support, driven by hollow “alliance obligations” rhetoric. We unpack the media's biased framing of “Iranian aggression”, the ABC's platforming of compromised figures like Scott Morrison and Mike Pezzullo, and question whether Penny Wong has abandoned Australia's national interest. We also probe the illusion of a “rules-based order”, bipartisan hypocrisy on AUKUS and Pine Gap, and the creeping complacency within Labor's post-2025 majority. Plus, we cover Antoinette Lattouf's Federal Court victory against the ABC and the continuing influence of the Israel lobby on Australian public discourse.Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Bohannon', Fat Freddy's Drop.‘Loose Fit', Happy Mondays.

In this explosive episode, we unpack the escalating Israel–Iran conflict, exposing the deadly airstrikes, retaliatory missile attacks, and the West's ongoing hypocrisy around “the right to defend”. We challenge the double standards on nuclear weapons, dissect the real motives behind U.S. and Israeli aggression, and warn against another fabricated “weapons of mass destruction” crisis. Back in Australia, we analyse Anthony Albanese's non-meeting with Donald Trump at the G7, the media's “snub” narrative, and the Coalition's opportunistic attacks. We also look at the federal intervention in the NSW Liberal Party after historic losses, and whether Labor's economic reform agenda can survive sabotage from a wrecking-ball opposition.Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.Hey! Douglas.‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.

In this episode, we unpack the shocking decision to award former Prime Minister Scott Morrison the Companion of the Order of Australia, despite his disastrous COVID-19 response, economic mismanagement, and culture war legacy – raising serious questions about the integrity of Australia's honours system. We explore the deepening chaos in the US under Donald Trump, including the National Guard's shooting of Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, and ask whether it's time for Australia to reassess its alliance with an increasingly unstable superpower. Back home, Anthony Albanese launches a productivity and economic growth summit amid calls for real reform, not recycled neoliberalism. We also cover Australia's long-overdue sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, and the farcical state of Tasmanian politics as a billion-dollar AFL stadium sparks yet another snap election.Support New Politics, just $5 per month: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner', Ed Kuepper.‘Dayvan Cowboy', The Boards of Canada.‘State Of The World (AEIOU)', Jim James.‘The Last Goodbye', Odesza.

In this hard-hitting episode, we expose the Labor government's climate betrayal through its approval of Woodside's North West Shelf gas expansion, locking in emissions until 2070, while new coal and gas projects surge across Queensland and NSW. We question why Australia – despite being the world's second-largest gas exporter – collects just $1.1 billion in resource taxes compared to Qatar's $26 billion, and ask whether Labor's environmental policies differ at all from the Coalition. We also look at the defection of Greens Senator Dorinda Cox to Labor, raising questions about party loyalty, political ethics, and Prime Minister Albanese's double standards. And in foreign affairs, we dissect the US push for Australia to lift military spending to $100 billion per year to confront China, exposing the contradictions of trading with China while preparing for war against it, and ask whether Australia can ever chart an independent foreign policy path.Support New Politics, just $5 per month!:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing:‘Even Better Than The Real Thing', A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.‘Man of Constant Sorrow', Skeewiff.‘Arion [Nothing Changes Under The Sun]', Blue States.