In this episode of New Politics, we explore the critical political developments throughout 2024 and their implications for Australia’s future. From the economy’s struggle to recover from Coalition-era neglect and the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Albanese government’s challenges in navigating cost-of-living pressures and economic messaging, we analyze the ongoing focus on interest rates, inflation, and the Reserve Bank’s performance. Despite record-low unemployment and stable inflation, contradictions in media narratives continue to undermine public perception of economic progress, leaving the government grappling with how to sell its achievements.
The role of the media is dissected – which someone managed to become even worse in 2024 – as we explore into the Albanese government’s missed opportunities to reform Australia’s powerful legacy media landscape. News Corporation’s persistent attacks on the government and the Prime Minister’s attempts at appeasement – ranging from attending Murdoch events to avoiding robust legislative action – have left Albanese politically vulnerable. Meanwhile, the ABC’s consistent bias toward the Coalition highlights the need for reform in public broadcasting, with questions raised about its board appointments and lack of accountability.
Housing affordability remained a contentious issue, with the government’s piecemeal approach offering little tangible relief to Australians struggling with skyrocketing home prices. The lack of a clear housing strategy, coupled with complex jurisdictional challenges, has only added to the frustration of a disengaged electorate. Australia could learn from successful housing models in Austria and the Netherlands, but it seems to be far happier re-inventing the wheel every couple of years which, of course, means the problems keep festering.
On the global stage, the year was marked by the stabilising of Australia’s trade relationship with China and the fallout from the devastating conflict in Gaza. We discuss the Albanese government’s response to rising geopolitical tensions, the domestic political ramifications, and the moral and strategic missteps in its appeasement of influential lobbying groups.
As the political landscape shifts, voter dissatisfaction with two-party politics grows. The Labor government’s perceived inaction on key issues – climate change, Indigenous rights, and gender equality – has left room for smaller parties and independents to gain traction. Despite slow progress on economic recovery, Labor’s struggles with political narrative and strategy have allowed Peter Dutton’s divisive leadership to remain unchallenged, even as he offers little in the way of substantive policy.
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