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)

An awful week in politics, fixing housing and is the Voice To Parliament really in trouble?

An awful week in politics, fixing housing and is the Voice To Parliament really in trouble?

We should never underestimate the lengths to which the Liberal Party will go, or how low they will stoop, in order to gain a political advantage. This was evident in one of the most distressing weeks ...

16 Jun 202359min

Roberts-Smith, wasted billions, Senator Hanson-Young and News Corp inquiry, and ending HECS debts

Roberts-Smith, wasted billions, Senator Hanson-Young and News Corp inquiry, and ending HECS debts

In this episode, we delve into the significant events that have unfolded in the political landscape during the week. We start with the explosive findings from the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case, wh...

9 Jun 202352min

Goodbye McGowan, the PwC scandal, and the conservative attacks on the Voice to Parliament

Goodbye McGowan, the PwC scandal, and the conservative attacks on the Voice to Parliament

In this episode, we discuss the recent resignation of Mark McGowan as Premier of Western Australia; examine the controversy surrounding PwC’s leak of secret information from the Australian Taxation Of...

2 Jun 202353min

Racism in the media, free Julian Assange, Australia–India relations and human rights, and the Voice To Parliament

Racism in the media, free Julian Assange, Australia–India relations and human rights, and the Voice To Parliament

In this episode, we delve into the persistent issue of racism in the media, particularly focusing on the recent departure of ABC journalist Stan Grant. Grant faced a barrage of racist abuse after his ...

26 Mai 202350min

Labor’s first year, the housing crisis and the fall of the final Liberal domino

Labor’s first year, the housing crisis and the fall of the final Liberal domino

In this episode: we look at the first year of the federal Labor government; what can be done about the many housing issues across Australia?; the latest opinion polls; and the last Liberal government ...

19 Mai 202344min

The big serious Budget analysis and overpaid CEOs

The big serious Budget analysis and overpaid CEOs

In this episode: the Budget 2023 announcement and our expert analysis… are CEOs in Australia paid too much? We speak to Rebecca Bachmann about this issue … and when there's a Budget, there's also a Bu...

12 Mai 202348min

Goodbye Scomo, Albanese’s new friend, the Coronation yawn-fest, and a new Liberal party?

Goodbye Scomo, Albanese’s new friend, the Coronation yawn-fest, and a new Liberal party?

In this episode: will he stay, or will he go? The future of Scott Morrison in Parliament; the company a prime minister should keep; forget about the Coronation, the move to a republic needs to start n...

5 Mai 202346min

Murdoch’s end, wasteful defence spending, nothing for Jobseeker, and the No-alition

Murdoch’s end, wasteful defence spending, nothing for Jobseeker, and the No-alition

In this episode: a boost in military spending, but what does it mean for funding of other important areas; The Dominion case in the United States is the beginning of the end of News Corporation; And t...

28 Apr 202347min

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