New Politics: Australian Politics, News, Analysis & Commentary

New Politics
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Independent Australian politics podcast covering federal politics, elections, policy, media and power. Hosted by Eddy Jokovich and David Lewis, New Politics delivers sharp analysis of Australian politics, media narratives and political power – cutting through spin to explain what’s really happening. / Twitter @NewpoliticsAU / www.patreon.com/newpolitics / newpolitics.substack.com / www.newpolitics.com.au

  1. 11h ago

    Macklemore, Mary Kostakidis and the red line on Palestine

    Political power doesn’t always operate through governments or legislation – it can work through vexatious litigation, lobbying, money, professional pressure and the ability of influential organisations to impose consequences on those who challenge powerful interests. The experiences of former SBS journalist Mary Kostakidis in Australia and musician Macklemore in the United States raise the difficult questions about Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Zionism and free speech: Kostakidis endured almost two years of legal proceedings before the Zionist Federation of Australia discontinued its Federal Court case without a judgment, while Macklemore faced organised pressure and was removed from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s US tour after his outspoken advocacy for Palestine. Set against the entertainment industry’s inconsistent response to Kanye West’s explicit antisemitism and praise for Adolf Hitler, these cases raise a broader democratic question: when journalists, musicians and public figures fear litigation, professional exclusion or reputational campaigns for criticising Israel or supporting Palestinian rights, does censorship need to be imposed by governments at all – or does the outrageous effect achieve the same result? #AUSPOL   Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au   Support New Politics:  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com   Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    Macklemore, Mary Kostakidis and the red line on Palestine

  2. 6d ago

    Australia, Israel and the charade of Palestinian recognition

    Almost a year after Australia recognised Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, what has actually changed? The Albanese government has imposed no meaningful sanctions on Israel, restricted no trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and maintained Australia’s involvement in the F-35 military supply network. The killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza remains unresolved, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong continues to defend a deeply contradictory policy: recognising Palestinian sovereignty while supporting the occupying power. With Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir promoting the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, Australia’s inaction is becoming a test of its democracy, political independence and commitment to international law. Recognition of Palestine was an important step, but it should have marked the beginning of a new Australian policy on Israel, Gaza and the West Bank – not the end of it. #AUSPOL   Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au   Support New Politics:  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com   Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    Australia, Israel and the charade of Palestinian recognition

  3. Sep 10

    The Liberal Party: Chasing One Nation to the edge of oblivion

    One Nation may be slipping in the polls, but Pauline Hanson is still setting the direction of conservative politics in Australia – and Liberal leader Angus Taylor appears determined to follow her to the fringes. Rather than addressing housing affordability, stagnant wages, healthcare pressures and inequality, the Coalition is escalating the culture wars with proposals targeting Australian flag burning, the date of Australia Day and Respectful Relationships education in schools. It is a familiar strategy: manufacture outrage, exploit resentment and promise punishment, while presenting programs designed to reduce domestic and sexual violence as attacks on men. With Labor and the Coalition level in the latest Essential poll and One Nation close behind, imitating Pauline Hanson will only legitimise her agenda and alienate moderate voters. The same pattern can be seen in tobacco policy, where the Liberal Party has gone past One Nation’s proposed 75 per cent tobacco excise cut with an 80 per cent reduction – a policy that would benefit Big Tobacco, make cigarettes more accessible and potentially create a new generation of smokers and cancer patients. #AUSPOL Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au   Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpolitics Substack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    The Liberal Party: Chasing One Nation to the edge of oblivion

  4. Sep 4

    A climate change disaster in Nepal is Australia’s problem too

    The catastrophic Nepal–Tibet floods, triggered by a collapse of glacial ice and rock in the Himalayas, have killed more than 1,250 people and left thousands missing, exposing the escalating dangers of climate change and glacial melting. As Nepal bears a devastating cost despite contributing little to global greenhouse-gas emissions, Anthony Albanese faces questions about Australia’s climate policy and the familiar political insistence that “now is not the time” to discuss the causes of disaster. This episode examines climate injustice, Australia’s continuing coal and gas expansion, Labor’s renewable-energy promises and the contradiction between presenting Australia as a Pacific security partner while supporting fossil-fuel developments. With the Himalayan water system sustaining almost two billion people, this disaster is not only an environmental warning—it is a growing humanitarian, economic and geopolitical crisis. #AUSPOL Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    A climate change disaster in Nepal is Australia’s problem too

  5. Sep 3

    Labor’s One Nation problem

    One Nation's byelection win in Secret Harbour – an 18 per cent swing in a WA Labor seat held for 37 years – is a warning sign for the Albanese government, and branding Pauline Hanson “dangerous and divisive” isn't working after three decades of using the same message. This episode explores why cost-of-living pressures, unaffordable housing and stagnant wages are driving voters toward populist protest even in a strong economy, why Labor risks legitimising One Nation by chasing its agenda, and what recent wins in South Australia, Farrer and now Secret Harbour reveal about One Nation's growing capacity to win seats ahead of the 2028 federal election. #AUSPOL Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics:  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com  Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    Labor’s One Nation problem

  6. Aug 29

    Football First, Women Last

    Allegations involving five Sydney Swans players have sparked one of the AFL season’s most serious controversies, yet much of the media coverage has focused on suspended players, damaged careers, premiership prospects and the club’s reputation rather than the women who reported the alleged sexual assaults. This episode of New Politics examines AFL culture, consent, masculinity and accountability, asking why education about respectful relationships continues to fail across elite sport and whether powerful football clubs are more concerned with brand protection than cultural change. Standing down players may be necessary, but genuine accountability also requires supporting complainants, cooperating with investigations and placing women’s safety ahead of football. #AUSPOL Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.com Song listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    Football First, Women Last

  7. Aug 28

    We need to talk about the influence of Israel

    Nick McKim’s refusal to apologise for saying the Labor government has been “captured by Zionist interests” has opened a wider debate about political lobbying, influence and transparency in Australia. This episode examines the role of pro-Israel advocacy organisations, sponsored trips to Israel for Australian politicians and opinion-makers, and whether these relationships can influence political attitudes and policy on Israel, Gaza and Palestine. We also look at Australia’s political donation system, including the $138 million in funding that has remained outside immediate public scrutiny, and ask the big question: if lobbying governments is considered a legitimate part of Australian politics, shouldn’t scrutiny of that lobbying be legitimate as well? #AUSPOL Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.auSupport New Politics: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    We need to talk about the influence of Israel

  8. Aug 22

    Silencing genocide, one book at a time

    Waverley Library’s removal of Adam Johnson’s “How to Sell a Genocide” raises a question that goes far beyond one book or a Sydney council: who decides which political arguments the public is allowed to debate? While the distress of survivors of the Bondi Beach terror attack must be treated seriously, it cannot become a veto over what an entire community is allowed to read. This episode examines public library censorship, freedom of expression, Israel and Gaza, the contested use of the word “genocide”, and attempts to conflate criticism of Israel and Zionism with antisemitism through the IHRA definition. When institutions remove lawful material because they fear organised complaints or controversy, libraries risk becoming political gatekeepers rather than independent sources of knowledge. Public institutions should help communities confront difficult ideas – not hide them when influential groups object. #AUSPOL   Subscribe to New Politics for weekly briefings and full analysis: www.newpolitics.com.au Support New Politics:  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/newpoliticsSubstack: https://newpolitics.substack.comSong listing: ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

    Silencing genocide, one book at a time
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About

Independent Australian politics podcast covering federal politics, elections, policy, media and power. Hosted by Eddy Jokovich and David Lewis, New Politics delivers sharp analysis of Australian politics, media narratives and political power – cutting through spin to explain what’s really happening. / Twitter @NewpoliticsAU / www.patreon.com/newpolitics / newpolitics.substack.com / www.newpolitics.com.au

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