Mon 21 Sep 2026 15.39 AEST
The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party, led by Lia Finocchiaro, has made no secret that it intends on doing what it wants in the NT. It lowered the age of criminal responsibility to 10 and lifted the ban on spithoods. Senior leaders gleefully announce they want to “drill baby, drill” while giving a hand-picked public servant the power to override statutes if the government considers a project to have economic significance.
I certainly raised a few eyebrows last week when I walked into the press pack with my biggest adversary, Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson, to stand on a unity ticket asking the Prime Minister to properly resource our parliamentary offices. I wish I didn’t have to resort to such a tactic, but I was out of options, and I knew this was a surefire way to get his attention.
In the last couple of weeks, two very consequential political debates have come down to a single vote. And these two narrow defeats prove that individuals matter, democracy matters, and parliament matters. Nothing is predetermined.
The Prime Minister said he wants to promote ‘progressive patriotism’ – but his policies tell a different story. In this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard explains the dangers of centrism and what progressive politics actually looks like.
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.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now.
Read more on The Point.
Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss
Producer: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang
Quality research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts you can trust.
Show notes:
Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP | Bernie Fraser Oration 2026 tickets
Six weeks after Albanese pledged renewable-powered data centres, he’s already made an exception by Tegan George, The Point (August 2026)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
