The Long-Read Essay: Democracy, Power and Australia at the Crossroads

The Long-Read Essay: Democracy, Power and Australia at the Crossroads

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? #AUSPOL

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

Episoder(311)

Labor–Greens neoliberal battle and the ABC’s support for Trump

Labor–Greens neoliberal battle and the ABC’s support for Trump

The reforms to aged care, seemingly pulled straight from the neoliberal playbook, are based on a user-pay mentality, and it’s no wonder they’re supported by the Liberal Party. So why are they supporte...

20 Sep 202444min

Labor pays the price in the fruitless quest for bipartisanship

Labor pays the price in the fruitless quest for bipartisanship

In this episode, we discuss Bill Shorten’s departure from politics and the legacy he leaves behind, the proposed reforms to the Reserve Bank Board and yet another failure of bipartisanship, the protes...

13 Sep 202442min

Behind the gridlock on fair taxes, environment protection and housing

Behind the gridlock on fair taxes, environment protection and housing

We explore the rising demands for a super-profits tax and a wealth tax – bring it on! – and question why the government continues to negotiate environmental policies with the Liberal Party, Australia’...

6 Sep 202446min

Go left Labor and eat the rich

Go left Labor and eat the rich

In this episode, we explore the implications of the Country Liberal Party's recent victory in the Northern Territory and whether there are lessons for the federal government to heed. We also discuss P...

30 Aug 202447min

Is Dutton a racist?

Is Dutton a racist?

In today's episode of New Politics, we ask the question: is Peter Dutton a racist or not? We put this claim to the test. Plus, we'll explore the Liberal Party's recent debacle in the NSW local council...

23 Aug 202449min

AUKUS disaster, media going down, Robodebt and the big silence on Gaza

AUKUS disaster, media going down, Robodebt and the big silence on Gaza

In this episode, we explore the AUKUS deal, surely one of worst deals in Australian history, the government's support for the media's reliance on gambling revenue for survival, the ongoing search for ...

16 Aug 202457min

Albanese's Makarrata tightrope, the week in Canberra and defaming Linda Reynolds

Albanese's Makarrata tightrope, the week in Canberra and defaming Linda Reynolds

Is the Makarrata Commission fading away, or is Anthony Albanese dodging past failures and facing up to political realities? As the terror threat level rises, are we facing real danger or is it more of...

9 Aug 202450min

A new Cabinet, inflation up, corruption, and a real-life Succession going wrong

A new Cabinet, inflation up, corruption, and a real-life Succession going wrong

The cabinet reshuffle and what this means for the next election, the problems with the lack of action from the National Anti-Corruption Commission continue – is it time for Barnaby Joyce to leave poli...

2 Aug 202450min

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