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(305)

Hanson’s Burqa Stunt and the Political Nihilism of the Right

Hanson’s Burqa Stunt and the Political Nihilism of the Right

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Retail Politics is Killing the Liberal Party

Retail Politics is Killing the Liberal Party

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...

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The International Occupation of Gaza

The International Occupation of Gaza

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 ...

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The Constitution, The Neo-Nazis and The Liberal Party

The Constitution, The Neo-Nazis and The Liberal Party

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 ...

14 Nov 202546min

The Ghost of Gough Whitlam

The Ghost of Gough Whitlam

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, multicu...

13 Nov 202522min

The War on Dissent and Socialism USA

The War on Dissent and Socialism USA

(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 ...

7 Nov 202556min

The Great Environmental Backflip and the Joy Division

The Great Environmental Backflip and the Joy Division

(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) ...

31 Okt 202555min

Alliance Games and the Price of Truth

Alliance Games and the Price of Truth

(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 Joy...

24 Okt 20251h

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