Time out for the US alliance?

In this episode, we question whether Australia should remain aligned with an increasingly unpredictable United States and explore how this sudden shift in American foreign policy, after years of condemning Russian aggression, is forcing Australia to reconsider its security ties under ANZUS and the AUKUS agreement. We also explore the domestic fallout from AUKUS, including the lack of public transparency and the precedent of spending billions on cancelled defence deals and examine the media’s overhyped fears of China compared to a US displaying fascist tendencies. We highlight the global rise of right-wing populism and question how progressive parties can counter this wave of extremism. Locally, we scrutinise Peter Dutton’s record, the government’s proposed Medicare boosts, and the Coalition’s matching promises, assessing whether centrist parties’ caution could pave the way for reactionary leaders in the next federal election. Finally, we consider how Labor’s anticipated victory in the upcoming Western Australia election might influence Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s timing for a national poll.

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Song listing:

1. ‘Good Stuff’, The B-52s.
2. ‘Let Me Entertain You’, Robbie Williams.
3. ‘Dātura’, Tori Amos.
4. ‘The Hard Road’, Hilltop Hoods.
5. ‘Humiliation’, The National.