This episode of New Politics explores the latest shifts in Australia’s economy, revealing that the country has emerged from a per capita recession – a rarely referenced figure that has fluctuated over the past seven years, spanning both the Morrison and Albanese governments, and focus on how improved interest rates, falling inflation, and rising employment and wages offer a positive economic narrative for Treasurer Jim Chalmers, especially in the lead-up to a federal election.
With the Coalition’s cost-of-living arguments losing traction, we highlight how media outlets often work against a Labor government by downplaying good economic news and look at new policy announcements, including increased Medicare funding and a multi-billion-dollar boost for public schools in New South Wales, contrasted with the Coalition’s decision to acquire more F-35 strike fighters. Peter Dutton’s approach to workplace flexibility and reveals a string of policy ideas seemingly lifted from Donald Trump’s playbook, with the Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor resorting to discredited talking points on per capita recession.
We then turn to international affairs, spotlighting shifting dynamics between the United States and its allies, with Donald Trump’s Oval Office encounter with Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance’s controversial remarks. Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, Justin Trudeau’s tough language, and the UK’s reassessment of NATO obligations all stand in contrast to the near-silence of Australian politics on the changing Australia–US alliance, even though it could become a key election issue.
In Australia, bipartisan support for US-driven foreign policy, including the AUKUS deal and Pine Gap arrangements, often limits genuine public debate – we look at WA Premier Roger Cook’s unfiltered comments on White House officials, as well as calls for a frank assessment of the “special relationship” with America.
We finish up with a discussion with Dr Victoria Fielding examining University of Adelaide research on News Corporation’s media manipulation during the 2023 Voice to Parliament campaign, detailing seven strategies used by conservative media to sway public discourse. This investigation into media power, misinformation, and disinformation highlights the need for a more diverse and transparent media landscape – one that can result in a fair contest in elections, ensuring that Australian democracy truly serves the public interest, not the media barons.
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Song listing:
- ‘Good Stuff’, The B-52s.
- ‘Stranger In Moscow’, Tame Impala.
- ‘Humiliation’, The National.
Music interludes:
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The post The economic recovery, US alliance tensions, and News Corp exposed appeared first on New Politics.