Welcome to New Politics, where we dissect the latest events shaping Australia’s political landscape with sharp, insightful analysis and commentary and ask the question: is Labor pandering too much to the right, when it should be veering to the left? We start with a look at the recent Northern Territory election, where the Country Liberal Party returned to office after eight years in opposition. It was a crushing defeat for the Labor Party, which managed to secure only four out of 25 seats and recorded its lowest primary vote in Northern Territory history. We explore the implications of this result, not just for the Territory but for the broader Australian political scene.
We reflect on the historical parallels with 2008, when a significant swing against Labor in the Territory preceded a string of state and federal losses for the party. Could this latest CLP victory be the first crack in Labor’s current dominance across Australia? And what should the federal Labor government take away from this result, if anything?
We also assess the decline in popularity of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in recent opinion polls. With just 40 per cent of voters satisfied with his performance and 50 per cent dissatisfied, Albanese’s approval ratings have fallen to levels not seen in a leader since the lead-up to the 2022 federal election. We discuss the reasons behind this drop in support: rising cost of living, economic concerns, housing affordability, and the government’s stance on international issues like AUKUS and Palestine. We also consider whether the current unpopularity of Albanese could jeopardise Labor’s chances at the next federal election, drawing on historical examples of unpopular leaders who nonetheless managed to win.
Finally, we examine the recent remarks by mining magnate Gina Rinehart at the Bush Summit. In a presentation filled with contradictions, Rinehart called for governments to both spend more and tax less, particularly in ways that would benefit her own Hancock Corporation and the mining industry. Her speech, reminiscent of her father Lang Hancock’s controversial views, highlighted the influence that wealthy individuals like Rinehart, Gerry Harvey, Clive Palmer, and Andrew Forrest wield in Australia’s public debate – often to the detriment of the broader population. We critique the undue attention given to these billionaire voices and argue for a focus on policies that benefit all Australians, not just the privileged few.
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