The end of parliament and chasing war criminals

In this episode of the New Politics podcast, we explore the major political developments in Australia and beyond, focusing on the intersection of policy, power, and political games. The final week of parliament wrapped up a tumultuous year, marked by the passage of two key housing bills: the Build to Rent and Help to Buy schemes. These long-stalled bills, supported by the Australian Greens after securing concessions on social and affordable housing, highlight the tension between political ideals and the compromises required to pass legislation. The government accused the Greens of obstructing progress, while the Greens are positioning themselves as champions of renters, a demographic encompassing nearly a third of Australians.

Max Chandler-Mather is emerging as a polarising figure, with Labor painting him as a disruptive force while younger voters and progressives view him as a principled advocate for housing reform. His criticism of policies like negative gearing and capital gains tax cuts highlights the systemic issues fueling Australia’s housing crisis. Despite his efforts, politics ultimately trumped sound policy, as Labor’s reluctance to revisit these contentious issues reflects its cautious approach since the 2019 election loss.

We also examine the stalled misinformation and disinformation bill, highlighting the government's failure to secure bipartisan or crossbench support – and the broader implications of political inertia on other unfulfilled promises, including truth in political advertising legislation and superannuation tax reforms. These missed opportunities signal a government increasingly catering to vested interests and avoiding bold policy moves, undermining public trust in its ability to address pressing societal challenges.

On the international stage, we look at the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This unprecedented move has sparked fierce debate in Australia, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong supporting the ICC’s decision while the Coalition calls for Australia to withdraw from the court. Netanyahu’s actions in Palestine of apartheid and genocide should be condemned, with comparisons drawn to the fall of apartheid in South Africa and communism in Eastern Europe.