‘Rally the troops’: Surge in support for One Nation

Key Concepts

• One Nation's Growth: Increased membership and establishment of new branches, particularly in regional Australia.
• Liberal Party's Challenges: Internal divisions between moderates and conservatives, perceived shift towards the center, and loss of right-wing voters.
• Public Sector Workforce Expansion: Significant increase in public sector jobs and associated taxpayer costs.
• Economic Rationalism and Policy Proposals: Ideas for economic stimulus, social reform, and media funding.

One Nation's Resurgence and Liberal Party's Dilemma

The discussion highlights the significant growth of the One Nation party, which has reportedly doubled its membership since the last federal election and is actively establishing new branches in regional Australia. This includes plans to launch a central Queensland branch and the recent poaching of Tamworth Nationals members to form a base in the electorate of New England, previously held by Barnaby Joyce.

The reasons for this voter shift towards One Nation are explored. It's noted that this surge is reminiscent of the party's performance in 1996, when it struggled with administrative capacity and fielded unsuitable candidates due to its rapid growth. The current situation suggests voters are exploring all available options.

A key argument presented is that the Liberal Party's internal struggles, particularly the focus by some moderates on removing figures like Andrew Hasty and Justin Price, are counterproductive. Instead, it's argued that the Liberal Party needs "right-wing warriors" to appeal to One Nation supporters and bring them back to the party. This perspective aligns with John Howard's philosophy of a "broad church" where the right and left wings work together. The absence of strong, unifying leaders like Jeff Kennett, Michael Kroger, Nick Rina, and John Howard is seen as a contributing factor to the party's current state, which is perceived as too centrist and unable to effectively counter a Labor government governing from the center.

Tanya Mahal, a former One Nation MP, acknowledges the party's current success, attributing it to voters bleeding to the right when the Liberal Party faces issues. She describes Pauline Hanson as a strong leader with firm views, contrasting her approach with that of Susan Ley. However, Mahal echoes David's concerns about One Nation's administrative shortcomings, stating that "nothing's changed" since years ago. She argues that One Nation, similar to the Greens, can effectively raise issues and campaign but lacks the structure and capacity to be an alternative government or even a significant part of one. Her personal experience in One Nation for 20 months indicated a lack of grassroots control, with decisions being made top-down, leading to member departures.

Public Sector Workforce Expansion and Economic Concerns

The conversation shifts to the significant increase in the public sector workforce. In the 2024-25 financial year, federal, state, and local government employment rose by 82,000 jobs, reaching nearly 2.66 million. This translates to taxpayers funding $249.5 billion, an increase from $231.7 billion the previous year.

David questions the justification for this expansion, suggesting the need for a "Dodge-style department" (implying a focus on efficiency and cuts) or at least a department to identify where jobs are genuinely needed. He distinguishes between essential public sector roles like police and soldiers, which are necessary and funded by taxpayers, and what he terms "cardigan-wearing biscuit munchers" in administrative roles, often created to generate jobs in specific electorates. He emphasizes the need to direct people into areas where they are needed, citing the government's difficulty in attracting engineers despite significant infrastructure spending. He contrasts this with the perceived lack of viability of administrative roles in suburban offices.

The expansion of the public sector is linked to Labor's historical preference for a large bureaucracy, with both the federal Labor government under Albanese and state governments like Chris Minns' in New South Wales seen as following this trend. This is occurring alongside a lull in productivity growth, with small businesses reportedly desperate for government incentives and support. The discussion references Jim Chalmers' acknowledgment of the productivity growth problem and questions what is being done about it, particularly concerning the bureaucracy and support for small businesses. The sentiment is that current conditions make it difficult for individuals to consider starting a business.

David Elliot's "Dictator for a Day" Column

The segment concludes with a discussion of David Elliot's column in the Daily Telegraph, where he outlines his hypothetical actions if he were a dictator for a day.

• Economic Rationalist Proposals:

  • Subsidized Public Transport: He proposes free public transport on gazetted public holidays to stimulate economic activity and reduce road incidents.
  • Second Chances: He advocates for a stricter approach to juvenile justice, suggesting that second chances should be a privilege, not a right, and that young offenders should understand this.
  • Australian History: He emphasizes the importance of not dismissing Australian history, criticizing individuals who engage in symbolic protests without understanding the historical context.

• Critique of Proposals: Tanya Mahal expresses reservations about some of David's proposals, particularly the idea of removing negative gearing for property investment, which she believes is unfair and hinders aspirational individuals. She argues that families should not be denied homes.

• Agreement on ABC Funding: Both David and Tanya agree on the proposal to make the ABC a subscription service, expressing frustration with current funding models.

The segment ends with a brief farewell to the guests.