In this episode, we look at all the recent political events, media dynamics, and questions of political favouritism. Last weekend marked the end of the national Labor conference, the first from a Labor government since Julia Gillard’s tenure as Prime Minister. These conferences have long been criticised for their stage-managed nature and lack of open discussion but it does offer a chance to review the Labor Party Platform and offer members a chance to voice concerns on diverse issues, from AUKUS and nuclear weapons to asylum seekers, tax reform, and workers’ rights.
The conference held a surprise: a Labor Prime Minister supporting nuclear submarines. Who would have thought it 40 years ago! This development raises questions about the evolving stance of the Labor Party and Anthony Albanese’s statement about the preference of long-term governance stability over short-term implementation of policy. Gough Whitlam’s strategy was to “crash through or crash”, and that resulted in only three years in office but at least a lot was achieved. What’s better: a long-term in office implementing a slow pace of reform, or a shorter-term doing as many things as possible?
Interestingly, the Conservative Political Action Group held a conference simultaneously. This American-style event, now making its way to Australia, focuses on climate change denial, libertarianism, racism, and opposition to the Voice To Parliament proposal. It’s not true conservatism, it’s not true liberalism: just a culture of complaint that offers no solutions and just says “no” to everything.
Shifting to the economic sphere, notable corporate profits have been reported recently. While these profits benefit shareholders, not everyone owns shares, leaving a significant portion of the population without direct benefits. This disparity highlights the need for a balanced economic structure that benefits everyone.
In the political arena, controversies continue. Peter Dutton’s appearance on ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ sparked debates about politicians’ media presence, particularly his potential prime ministerial suitability: is a national television program the right place to announce that you’ve got post-traumatic stress disorder?
Ita Buttrose’s impending departure from the ABC chairperson role triggered expectations of changes in how the ABC presents news and politics. The ABC’s challenges trace back to the late 1990s, and as media landscapes evolve, the ABC’s role and structure must adapt accordingly.
Recent revelations involving Anthony Albanese’s son’s internship and a Qantas VIP pass prompted discussions on political ethics. Consistency in reporting these matters across parties and unbiased media coverage is crucial for maintaining public trust in the political system.