The first episode of the New Politics for 2025 and we start off with the annual culture wars surrounding Australia Day/Invasion Day, and the fervour stirred up by conservative figures. We explore how the symbolic significance of January 26, with Peter Dutton leading the call for a forced celebration despite widespread ambivalence. Meanwhile, Sussan Ley’s strange comparison of the First Fleet to an Elon Musk Mars mission adds a bizarre twist to the ongoing debates over colonial history, free speech, and national identity. We also spotlight Grace Tame’s provocative “Fuck Murdoch” T-shirt and its ability to ignite outrage among right-wing media outlets such as Sky News, raising questions about political priorities and what truly deserves attention.
We then look at the start of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States – complete with grandiose threats to seize the Panama Canal, take over Greenland, and the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. These bombastic moves act as smokescreens for corruption and extremist policies in US politics, reflecting a deeper global trend of “outsider” leaders who push mayhem and division to the forefront. In Australia, the Liberal and National parties seems to be following a similar playbook, with Dutton imitating Trump-style rhetoric and exploiting identity politics to sow the seeds of discord. As the Albanese government takes a more cautious approach, voters are left wondering if centrists can deliver the substantive change they promised or if they’re just clearing the pathway for more polarising and disruptive figures to return to office.
Finally, we focus on a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Despite Israel’s aim to eradicate Hamas, the conflict has claimed thousands of Palestinian lives and decimated infrastructure, and Netanyahu’s government has gained nothing. While the ceasefire could be a crucial step toward de-escalation, the question remains whether a just and lasting solution is possible in a region marked by decades of hostility. We examine the role of local Australian politics – how conservative figures continue to politicise support for Israel, brand criticism of its policies as antisemitism, and push for increased awareness of Holocaust history without addressing Islamophobia.
Listen in to the New Politics podcast as we explore these hot-button issues in Australian politics, US political chaos, and the ever-evolving landscape of the Middle East, without the usual talking points or predictable spin.
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