The Seat Warmers: What Is The Purpose Behind Labor?

The Seat Warmers: What Is The Purpose Behind Labor?

Author: New Politics November 28, 2025 Duration: 53:46
In the final week of Parliament, New Politics asks a blunt question about Australian federal politics: what is the Albanese Labor government actually for? This episode turns its focus to Labor’s record in office, examining stalled gambling advertising reform, public service and CSIRO job cuts, tensions with the Australian Greens, and the growing gap between election promises and policy delivery. We explore rising inflation, falling productivity, weak investment, mining superprofits, gas export contracts, and the long shadow of Howard-era economic decisions, alongside Labor’s contradictory approach to climate policy, coal and gas expansion, and slow environmental reform. From energy prices and domestic gas reservation to housing policy, HECS, the failed Voice referendum and a weakened National Anti-Corruption Commission, this episode argues that competence without reform is not enough — and asks whether a managerial Labor government risks squandering a historic opportunity for structural change.

Support New Politics, just $5 per month:

Eddy Jokovich and David Lewis host New Politics: Australian Politics, a podcast dedicated to cutting through the noise of the daily news cycle. Their conversations go beyond the headlines and parliamentary theatre, digging into the stories and power dynamics that often get sidelined. They focus on the issues that mainstream coverage tends to gloss over or ignore entirely, driven by a commitment to the kind of accountability many journalists shy away from. Each episode is built on thorough analysis and direct discussion, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the country. You’ll hear them dissect policy, political strategy, and the real-world consequences of decisions made in Canberra, all with a serious and critical eye. This isn’t about soundbites or partisan point-scoring; it’s about examining how power operates and who it serves. For anyone tired of superficial political reporting and looking for substantive commentary, this podcast provides a necessary and regular dose of clarity. Tune in for their unflinching take on Australian politics, where the conversation always aims to hold power to account.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

New Politics: Australian Politics, News, Analysis & Commentary
Podcast Episodes
The Slow Road to Nowhere: Albanese and the Politics of Caution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:30
Anthony Albanese is back from his international tour, pitching stability and steady progress – but is “slow and steady” enough, or just political stagnation? We unpack the prime minister’s speeches at the UK Labour confe…
Living In America, Go To Hell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:52
America’s democratic decline under Donald Trump’s second term is reshaping global politics – institutions are undermined, conspiracy theories drive policy, and US credibility is collapsing on the world stage. As China, R…
The Politics of Denial: Australia’s Reality Check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:40
Australia’s first national climate risk assessment warns of rising seas, deadly heat, and collapsing ecosystems, raising doubts about whether Anthony Albanese’s 2035 emissions target is bold enough. Meanwhile, the Royal…
Modern Monetary Theory: Miracle or Mirage? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:14
In this bonus episode of the New Politics podcast, host David Lewis unpacks Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) – once dismissed as fringe but now at the centre of global economic debate. We explore its intellectual roots, from…
The China Syndrome and the Big Liberal Split [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:10
This week, we expose Australia’s latest media hysteria: Xi Jinping’s speech to commemorate defeating fascism in 1945 mistranslated into a China scare campaign, recycled “Dictator Dan” attacks on Daniel Andrews, Jacinta P…
The White Shade of Fascism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:22
The “March for Australia” rallies claimed to be about housing and migration, but quickly exposed themselves as platforms for white nationalism, racism, and neo-Nazi activity. We break down how politicians, right-wing med…
The Iran Ultimatum, A House Of Cards and Climate Chaos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:49
Housing affordability dominates the headlines as the Albanese government repackages its 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers, but with global evidence showing such policies push up prices without fixing supply, is thi…
Reform, Resistance and Netanyahu’s Rant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:41
We unpack the government’s Economic Reform Roundtable, where Anthony Albanese brought together business, unions, and welfare groups to debate productivity, equity, housing, and workplace reform – but with predictable dem…
A state of Palestine and the price of fearless journalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:12
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement that Australia will recognise the state of Palestine at the UN in September marks a historic foreign policy shift, yet conditions are placed solely on Palestine while Israel…