The Liberal–National Opposition is in a difficult parliamentary position. Still smarting from the worst result in Liberal Party history, they are not a live threat as an alternative government to a Labor Party that holds almost two in every three seats. Nor has the party distinguished itself on policy.
It’s not radical to say that Labor and the Coalition agree on more than they disagree on these days. That’s neoliberalism in a nutshell – both parties are tied to protecting the market and capital.
A recent discussion paper published by the Liberal Party has tried to diagnose what has gone wrong for the party, and how to reverse this downwards trend. And it would seem much of the party’s problems are demographic.
On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains how the crossbench works and the politics of deal-making in federal parliament.
This episode was recorded on Friday 21 August.
More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now.
Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble.
Read more on The Point.
Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss
Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang
Quality research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts you can trust.
Show notes:
Climate Integrity Summit 2026, the Australia Institute
National Gambling Toll, the Australia Institute
The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026)
There is no such thing as a safe seat | Fact sheet, the Australia Institute (October 2024)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
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