NACC disasters, the Voice one year on, and 4.3 million reasons to not buy a house

In this episode of the New Politics podcast, we discuss the latest issues surrounding the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the fallout of the failed Voice to Parliament referendum, the upcoming ACT and Queensland elections, and the one house purchase that everyone is talking about.

First, we focus on the controversial NACC finding of ‘no corruption’, where $532 million was paid to Paladin, a security firm tasked with managing refugee centres on Manus Island during the Turnbull and Morrison governments. Despite allegations of corruption, including money laundering and mismanagement, the NACC’s investigation concluded there was no evidence of corrupt conduct. This decision, tied to Operation Bannister, raises questions about the NACC’s ability to uncover corruption, leaving many to wonder if the commission is looking in the wrong places.

We also explore the implications of the failed Voice to Parliament referendum. One year on, Indigenous issues appear to have taken a backseat on the national agenda. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese initially pushed for the Voice, but its defeat has stalled progress on Indigenous recognition, a treaty, and truth-telling. We look at the political missteps that contributed to this outcome and the rise of organised racism in 2024, making it harder to push through Indigenous reforms.

Next, we discuss the upcoming ACT and Queensland elections. The Labor–Green coalition has governed the ACT successfully since 2012, despite conservative fears of a disastrous alliance. Meanwhile, the Queensland election promises to be a battleground for the Labor government, with policies like free school lunches drawing conservative criticism. The results of these elections will offer insights into the broader political landscape, including the potential direction of the federal election in 2025.

Finally, we analyse Albanese and Jodie Haydon’s recent purchase of a $4.3 million home in Copacabana. While it’s within his rights and nobody’s business, the timing of this decision, in the midst of a housing affordability crisis, has drawn media scrutiny. We discuss the broader implications of this move, particularly as Labor begins to slip in the polls for the first time since October 2020.