The old parties had their turn, and failed

Something remarkable is unfolding… One Nation has turned out the Liberals’ lights. 

The numbers from the pre-election polling, now being borne out in the count, are eye-watering. One Nation is on track to receive a substantial taxpayer-funded election windfall under the Malinauskas government’s new public-funding regime.

The formula is straightforward. In One Nation’s case, $6 for every vote up to the first 10 per cent, then $5.50 thereafter, capped only by actual campaign spend. Assuming the turnout and vote share hold, millions in public money might be heading One Nation’s way, replacing the political donations the Malinauskas Labor government just banned.

But the windfall does not stop on election night. Depending on how many One Nation members are elected, the party is also in line for ongoing administrative funding to cover offices, staff, training, and operations. That funding, plus the potential for policy-development support and other streams, gives One Nation the resources to build serious, professional policy machinery.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, The old parties had their turn, and failed.

This is not the One Nation of the 1990s that Tony Abbott tried to bury.

Hanson survived and the establishment’s contempt for her voters only hardened.

After his win, re-elected SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said the quiet part out loud, reported as ‘winning voters back from One… pic.twitter.com/qunyJhmTYr

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) March 24, 2026

What did I miss? Australia’s political week in fast-forward

There's no escaping Labor's kinder economy. And you will love it! [Depositphotos.com/@olly18]

The most important issue this week was Labor’s desperate ‘don’t panic!’ messaging.

Government officials claimed the problem was not a low fuel supply, but high demand. Australia has a jerry can apocalypse. There is a surge of ‘farm thieves’ cutting locks and raiding rural properties. Tractors are being drained and parked cars siphoned like it’s season three of The Walking Dead.

The price of fuel is about to hit $3 per litre, interest rates have tagged along, and the cost of living has soared. But don’t worry, Chalmers has a ‘bold Budget’ planned. Who’s excited for tax reform…?!

My weekly wrap-up of Australian politics in The Spectator Australia,What did I miss? Australia’s political week in fast-forward.

"Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ kinder economy has revealed itself to be kinder chiefly to those who do not drive, eat, or pay bills." 😠

Labor is carefully orchestrating the end of capitalism in Australia. Albo is on the train, and the rest of the socialist circus is awaiting his… pic.twitter.com/XRsvm4yCkm

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) March 21, 2026

What does Australia expect to gain by snubbing Trump?

Ignoring President Trump’s plea dishonours every Digger who fought beside Americans.

The Strait of Hormuz is the artery carrying one-fifth of the world’s oil. President Trump’s call for allied warships to protect it from Iranian threats was a test of resolve. Australia’s response was lazy and irresponsible. Refusing to send even a single vessel was to turn our back on the United States. Not just any ally, but the nation that has bled for us and with us, time and again.

In France, on the islands of the Pacific, in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan – even in Darwin – American blood has soaked the same battlefields as ours. Anzus rests on that shared sacrifice. Aukus, our most significant defence enabler in history, is the generational result of it.

Ignoring President Trump’s plea dishonours every Digger who fought beside Americans and signals to the world that Australia cannot be counted on when it matters. We’ve never been here before.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, What does Australia expect to gain by snubbing Trump?

The Strait of Hormuz is the artery carrying one-fifth of the world’s oil.

President Trump’s call for allied warships to protect it from Iranian threats was a test of resolve.

Australia’s response was lazy and irresponsible.

Refusing to send even a single vessel was to turn our… pic.twitter.com/fMHoZYVebL

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) March 19, 2026