If we can’t talk about Welcome to Country, are we truly one and free?

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If we can’t talk about Welcome to Country, are we truly one and free?

Events in Melbourne have shown how strongly differing political views can dominate mainstream discussions. It’s concerning that past political perspectives might shape how we address important national topics today.

The left and right of politics do not go off in a straight-line ad infinitum, they curve towards each other. Extremes on both the left and right can lead to authoritarianism, which is a concern for our democracy. Having these two political extremes play out on Anzac Day serves as a reminder to protect our social cohesion.

Writing in the Morning Double Shot newsletter, Terry Barnes had this to say:

Your scribe has never made an Acknowledgement of Country, and never will. Michael de Percy makes the point that if those on the left shut down a national conversation about whether such things are ‘overdone’, can we be truly be ‘one and free’ as in the Morrison-bastardised version of the national anthem? His is an interesting article, written from a perspective you may not expect.

My commentary on the Welcome to Country for ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Melbourne for The Spectator Australia, If we can’t talk about Welcome to Country, are we truly one and free?

Albo’s Mediscare has gone nuclear

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Albo and his asinine Medicare card stunt at the National Press Club, 20 April 2025.

Anthony Albanese is desperate to hold on to power. He revels in being an underestimated political underdog. Behind the scenes, he is a ‘factional ninja’ whose experience has been ‘shaped by decades of internecine feuds’. As a beta male, Albanese’s power is wielded most where it is shielded most – in the opaque world of Labor’s internal politics.

My report from the National Press Club for The Spectator Australia, Albo’s Mediscare has gone nuclear.

Time to honour our Anzacs and ramp up defence spending

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Marching with veterans in Gunning, ANZAC Day 2024

Australia has a habit of being caught with its pants down when it comes to defence spending. In 1938, Australia’s defence spend was a miserable 1.6 per cent of GDP. In the last ten years, it has wavered around 1.9 to 2 per cent. While the measure of defence spending as a percentage of GDP does not necessarily reflect the capability of one’s defence force, it does indicate that Australia has not been pulling its weight.

My election coverage in The Spectator Australia, Time to honour our Anzacs and ramp up defence spending.

Albo wants to tax 'future you'

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One day, you're gonna get caught with some savings

If you want to get ahead in Australia, it will never happen under a Labor-Greens government. Albo and Adam are running out of your money, so now they are coming after ‘future you’.

We’ve been forced to have a large chunk of our money locked away in super funds since 1992. Of the $4.2 trillion currently locked away until retirement, union-controlled industry super funds hold about one quarter – over $1 trillion – of our money. Part of this ends up funding Labor. I explained how over a year ago.

But now Labor wants to double the concessional tax rate on super funds with a balance of $3 million or more (from 15 to 30 per cent), and also to tax unrealised capital gains. Basically, Labor wants to tax ‘future you’.

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

And if you’re still thinking of taking the handouts and voting for Labor (or the Greens…) Michael de Percy warns that their new plan is to tax your future. Not only do the Greens want to rob your grave and deprive your children of their rightful inheritance, Albanese wants your retirement savings. ‘Labor wants to double the concessional tax rate on super funds with a balance of $3 million or more (from 15 to 30 per cent), and also to tax unrealised capital gains. Basically, Labor wants to tax ‘future you’.’

My lates in The Spectator Australia, Albo wants to tax future you.

Third debate attitude reflects leadership: we ain’t got either

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In Bhutan, there is a sense of the common good and of service to one’s country.
 
Unlike Albo, Dutts is up against the mainstream media (MSM). Listening to left-leaning journos give Albo the win in the third debate, and others avoiding calling it because they are closet lefties, makes it clear to me where the MSM’s loyalties lie.

In such an environment, there is some merit in Dutts not being ‘authentic’ about himself and trying to tone down his strength. But this approach is bleeding conservatives to the right. Anecdotally, the Liberal Party is haemorrhaging badly.

Meanwhile, Albo has done the opposite and has been as floppy as a puppy by delivering an Easter message via his pets.

Writing in Unfiltered, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

Michael de Percy wasn’t very impressed with the debate either and has cautioned Peter Dutton about softening his image to appear ‘relatable’. ‘This approach is bleeding conservatives to the right. Anecdotally, the Liberal Party is haemorrhaging badly.’ The polls agree – if the polls are real. Although that said, it is very difficult to explain what voters have seen in Albanese. His debating skills are non-existent. At best, he played his slogans back like a scratched DVD - stuttering and skipping bits of sentences. It sounds okay until you try to transcribe it and then you realise what a true mess his mind is.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Third debate attitude reflects leadership: we ain’t got either.

‘Green Death’ tax from a Labor-Greens minority government?

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The Greens want to introduce an abhorrent death tax renamed a 'dynastic tax'

The Greens don’t want you to succeed. They want to take your money so they can turn Australia into a socialist nightmare. Labor’s plans aren’t far behind them. It’s a case of the Mensheviks (who wanted to use legal trade union means to socialism) versus the Bolsheviks (who wanted to overthrow the state).

But as Adam Bandt has indicated, he looks forward to a ‘golden era of reform’ in minority government where the Greens’ stated policy priority will be to take ‘action on negative gearing and [the] capital gains tax discount’.

Can we be sure Labor will reject the Greens’ plans?

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

Michael de Percy is worried that the Greens will bring back death taxes. They’ve renamed the policy, of course, referring to it as ‘the implementation of tax on dynastic wealth’ – but it sounds like grave robbing to me.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, ‘Green Death’ tax from a Labor-Greens minority government?

Bracket creep and soft economists

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Is Australia so ‘unique’ because lefties dominate the education system, academia, and the media?

The Albanese government reduced the Stage 3 tax cuts that were designed to address some the burden of bracket creep. The trouble is bracket creep is built into our progressive tax system. Unless something is routinely legislated to fix it, bracket creep happens systemically. Labor sent that plan backwards.

Instead, Labor has focused on the unjustifiable figure of $600 billion they made-up as a costing for the Coalition’s nuclear energy policy while denying that their ‘cheapest form of energy’ isn’t cheap at all. Their promised $275 energy saving was grossly wrong, and energy prices keep going up and will continue to do so under Labor.

Where are the economists? In my opinion, they must all be Labor supporters who are staying mum.

My lates in The Spectator Australia, Bracket creep and soft economists.

Keen to punish the Coalition this election? It’ll cost you!

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There's plenty of evidence to support the Uniparty thesis, but a second Labor term will destroy us.

The Coalition may not be in its best shape, but when they were in power, most Australians were better off. We keep hearing about how Albo inherited all this debt and deficit, but it’s nonsense. By the time Albo moved into the Lodge, prices were already going up. As he lifted wages for unionised sectors, the false economy showed low unemployment (mostly government jobs) but inflation kept going up. One interest rate cut went straight into ever-increasing power bills. Nobody is better off.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Keen to punish the Coalition this election? It’ll cost you!

Housing policy debate mismatched with Australian culture

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Housing is a major election issue but neither party is providing the details voters need.  

From the National Press Club: Housing policy is very tricky to balance effectively. There is no set formula because times and circumstances change. What worked in the Menzies era, when home ownership in Australia was at its highest levels, may not work now. But some things remain the same.

We need infrastructure. Not just roads but also potable water, sewerage, telecommunications, energy, shops, schools, hospitals, emergency services, and police.

Today’s debate at the Press Club between Labor Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O’Neil and her counterpart, Liberal Michael Sukkar, was uninspiring. We were introduced on one hand to a Labor policy based on talking to people in inner cities with no clue about the regions, and a Coalition policy closer to reality but not presented in a way that was convincing.

Writing in the Morning Double Shot newsletter, Terry Barnes had this to say.

Meanwhile, the prosaic election campaign set pieces continue. Yesterday it was a debate between housing spokesmen. Political correspondent Michael de Percy, whose National Press Club house account is taking a battering to give you a ringside seat, was totally unimpressed with both the debate and the way the spokesmen spoke. That sentence pretty well applies to the whole campaign for your scribe.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Housing policy debate mismatched with Australian culture.

Tone-deaf Greens disco on Anzac Day

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WA Greens backflip after community backlash about planned ANZAC Day rave fundraiser 

Australia is in a strange space where the traditions that enabled our high standard of living are being taken for granted by those who revel in the freedoms our Diggers continue to defend. There are few days as hallowed as Anzac Day. It is not merely a public holiday, it is a moment when Australians pause to honour those who put their lives on the line, whether it was on the shores of Gallipoli, the jungles of Kokoda, or the deserts of Afghanistan.

It’s a day for reflection, for gratitude, and for the quiet acknowledged that our freedoms were paid for in blood. Sophie Greer, the Greens’ candidate for Perth, and her party have decided to mark this solemn occasion with a ‘Greens Party Party’ fundraiser at an inner-city bar and tattoo parlour.

While most Australians will be attending dawn services, laying wreaths, or sharing a quiet moment with family, the WA Greens, under Greer’s banner, are planning to hold a rave dance party to raise funds for their election campaign.

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

Michael de Percy brings us two pieces today. The first relates to the insensitive Greens disco organised for Anzac Day. ‘Sophie Greer, the Greens’ candidate for Perth, and her party have decided to mark this solemn occasion with a ‘Greens Party Party’ fundraiser at an inner-city bar and tattoo parlour.’ Indeed, and before the day was out, they quietly moved it – presumably out of embarrassment.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Tone-deaf Greens disco on Anzac Day.

Albo’s ‘Blight on the Hill’ is blinding the MSM

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Kristy McBain's campaign materials are subject to a complaint to the AEC.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says she wants to ‘make Australia great again’. The reaction? ‘They finally said the quiet bit out loud.’

Peter Dutton’s son has to save to buy a house and he’s struggling to do so? Dutton is a millionaire, so he ‘is either lying or cruel’.

The mainstream media (MSM) is so bored they are looking for anything to pick up on except the reality of our economic situation. Albanese is leading us to his ‘blight on the hill’. It’s not a beacon of social justice; it’s a place where the Greens finally leverage Labor to use the rest of other peoples’ money to implement their socialist ideas.

Make no mistake, we are deep in it. If the Coalition do not get over the line on May 3, then we only have ourselves to blame.

Writing in the Unfiltered Newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

The press might have had a point about the Greens, but they are picking at crumbs when it comes to the Liberals. No matter how small the flaw, they are ready to descend. If they continue, Michael warns, ‘Make no mistake, we are deep in it. If the Coalition do not get over the line on May 3, then we only have ourselves to blame.’

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Albo’s ‘Blight on the Hill’ is blinding the MSM.

Dutton’s tax-deductible interest for first homebuyers is a breakthrough

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First homebuyers will benefit from tax deductible mortgage interest under Mr Dutton's policy. 

Like many conservatives, I have been waiting for something original from the Coalition that will differentiate them from the socialists. Labor has proven time and again that socialist approaches to housing affordability do not work. Today, I am pleased to report that Peter Dutton has announced an Australian first: First homebuyers will be eligible for tax deductions on their mortgage interest for new builds for the first five years of their mortgage.

This is great news, and the policy echoes my argument in the Speccie from this time last year: How about tax deductions for your home loan interest?

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

Michael de Percy also watched the launch and picked out policies directed at homebuyers as the most important. ‘I am pleased to report that Peter Dutton has announced an Australian first: First homebuyers will be eligible for tax deductions on their mortgage interest for new builds for the first five years of their mortgage.’

Writing in the Morning Double Shot newsletter, Terry Barnes had this to say:

Michael de Percy watched the Coalition launch, and was highly impressed with Dutton’s commitment to provide tax deductibility on mortgage interest to low- and middle-income first home buyers. Provided it’s offset, it’s sound and targeted policy, incentivising both buyers and sellers but not necessarily inflating home prices, and it’s a real difference from Labor’s foolish promise to build 100,000 new homes and guarantee $1,000 tax deductions for all. Marketed well, the mortgage interest deduction policy could have been the blockbuster barbeque-stopper the Coalition badly needed in the first week or even before the election was called: why they held it back until well into the campaign is a mystery. As for the Coalition’s tactics, today’s Newspoll tells the story, as the Coalition’s primary vote falls for the third week running. The only bright spot is that Labor’s primary vote is still historically low, and the minor parties and independents are the beneficiaries.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Dutton’s tax-deductible interest for first homebuyers is a breakthrough.

Albo isn’t winning, but the Coalition is losing

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Our next prime minister according to polls. Photo: Australian Government [CC BY 2.0]

Australians have every reason to be nervous about another three years of a Labor government. The last three years have seen our standard of living plummet, our prosperity nose-dive, and our savings all but gone. The most recent YouGov poll has Labor with a comfortable election-winning margin of 52.5 per cent two-party preferred against the Coalition’s 47.5 per cent. This is Labor’s best poll result since late 2023.

But Albo isn’t winning the election. The Coalition is losing it.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Albo isn’t winning, but the Coalition is losing.

Greens announce dumbest policy ever: ‘renters’ right to solar’

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The Greens are a clear and present danger to Australian society

Owning a rental property in Australia is becoming a complete farce. Why would you bother owning a rental property when renters can do whatever they want with your property? Adam Bandt’s latest socialist brainchild, the ‘Renters [sic] right to solar’, is the dumbest policy in Australian history.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Greens announce dumbest policy ever: ‘renters’ right to solar’.

Ted O’Brien was all over Chris Bowen like a wind turbine on an endangered bird

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Chris Bowen and Ted O'Brien face off in a political debate at the National Gallery of Australia.

From the National Press Club: I love the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), even if it’s gone so Woke that I can’t bring myself to be a member anymore. Today, the NGA was the battlefield for Speccie favourite, Chris ‘$275 cheaper’ Bowen, and Ted ‘too polished with little substance’ O’Brien for the National Press Club debate series. Clearly, the titles of Minister and Shadow Minister ‘for Climate Change and Energy’ indicate the level of importance your power bill matters to politicians.

The highlight was when some idiot protester – I picked this bloke as dodgy at the get-go – jumped up when Ted O’Brien began to speak and started shouting about ending coal and gas. The numerous AFP officers had the leftie protester out the door before I could get my phone out for a photo.

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

...Ted O’Brien and Chris Bowen went toe-to-toe, with Bowen ultimately getting trampled all over. Or, as Michael de Percy put it, ‘Ted O’Brien was all over Chris Bowen like a wind turbine on an endangered bird.’

Writing in the Morning Double Shot newsletter, Terry Barnes had this to say:

On the domestic dramas of our election, there was a bright spot for the Coalition yesterday. In a debate between energy spokesmen, the LNP’s Ted O’Brien made Chris Bowen look like the half-mad zealot and fanatic he’s proven to be, even to resembling Marty Feldman’s Igor in Young Frankenstein. Michael de Percy (now with caricature next his headline, denoting his cult status with our readers) gives an account of the debate, which was anything but Dullist. 

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Ted O’Brien was all over Chris Bowen like a wind turbine on an endangered bird.

Angus goes to the mattresses, majority don’t like Adam

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My Canberra Correspondent caricature for The Spectator Australia

Your Correspondent in Canberra: It was quite the day in the election campaign. Adam Bandt addressed a sparse-looking crowd at the National Press Club while Angus Taylor tore strips off Treasurer Jim Chalmers who cried ‘Uncle’ and asked Angus to ‘stop confusing me with your facts’. Chalmers’ charm and his obedient Lefties’ support all run out of steam at the supermarket checkout.

Adam Bandt has the answer. He will be Prime-Alt Minister. He will ensure Mr Dutton does not get in, and he will keep Labor under control using his stature and charisma. Further, you won’t have to worry about the checkout anymore because obviously the supermarkets, energy providers, service station owners, and every other business are taking the mick out of you.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Angus goes to the mattresses, majority don’t like Adam.

Albo and Dutton debate was a complete farce

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Politics is a metaphorical war. It is no place for civilians

Central to our two-party liberal democracy is political debate. Our system allows for peaceful revolutions at the ballot box. It requires our political leaders to fight so that we don’t have to. The current debate format that brings voters into the equation is a complete cop-out. It sucks. Instead of our leaders debating each other, they have to be nice to the voters participating in the debate show.

The contemporary political debate format where voters get to ask questions in the middle of the debate sucks. It is not good for our democracy.

Writing in the Morning Double Shot newsletter, Terry Barnes had this to say:
Michael de Percy watched last night’s leaders’ debate and was unimpressed. You know what the debate told me? Instead of being about issues that really matter, this has become a Seinfeld election about nothing – when it should be about everything. De Percy effectively corroborated master Liberal campaigner Ian Hanke’s distaste for leaders’ debates. All that said, Peter Dutton deserves credit for performing solidly after just learning his father in Brisbane has had a heart attack, but Anthony Albanese was so gratingly on-message there was no winner (the audience polled gave it to Albanese by a decisive margin, an online poll said very differently). There were better things to do with one’s evening than watch this political version of World Championship Wrestling.
My latest in The Spectator Australia, Albo and Dutton debate was a complete farce.

Angus Taylor’s Budget Reply leaves conservatives wanting more

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Angus Taylor's post-budget reply at the National Press Club, 2 April 2025 
 

From the National Press Club: Australia has had record numbers of business failures on top of declining productivity. That means declining living standards. The Treasurer’s Budget will provide 70 cents a day in tax cuts and aggregate deficits of some $180 billion over the next five years. Mr Chalmers says we’ve ‘turned the corner’ in the cost-of-living crisis.

But what will Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor do?

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Angus Taylor’s Budget Reply leaves conservatives wanting more.

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