Labor’s Islamic terrorism deflection is desperate

Instead of dealing with Islamic terrorism, the Albanese government is focused on gun laws.

Since neither the Coalition nor the Greens have agreed with Labor’s response to the Islamist-inspired murder of 15 Australians, the Prime Minister has pivoted to a familiar line of attack. He is now claiming the Coalition opposition has made clear what they don’t stand for, but offered nothing on what they do stand for.

This is rich coming from a leader whose own omnibus legislation was a massive failure.

What began as a rushed response to genuine community outrage over antisemitism and Islamic extremism initially morphed into a sprawling, politically expedient package that bundled hate speech reforms with gun control in a way that alienated potential allies across the spectrum.

Now, instead of dealing with the real problem – Islamic terrorism – the Albanese government is focused on gun laws. 

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Labor’s Islamic terrorism deflection is desperate.

Parliament returns today for a rare special sitting recalled early by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The truth politicians voting on the legislation today must remember is that terrorists don’t give a toss about words or gun laws. They would use rocks to achieve their aims.… pic.twitter.com/2wenZUpCeh

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) January 18, 2026

Nobel Peace Prize forgets its realist origins and goes full Woke

The Nobel Peace Prize is embracing a performative Wokeness that dilutes its credibility.

Today, the Nobel Peace Prize seems to have strayed far from those pragmatic roots, embracing a performative Wokeness that dilutes its credibility. The recent spectacle involving María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts against authoritarianism in her homeland, has put the proverbial cat among the pigeons.

In a bold and symbolic gesture during a White House meeting on 15 January 2026, Machado presented her Nobel medal to President Donald Trump, acknowledging his ‘unique commitment’ to Venezuelan freedom.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Nobel Peace Prize forgets its realist origins and goes full Woke.

María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts against authoritarianism in her homeland, has put the proverbial cat among the pigeons.

Article | https://t.co/umfYpaY818 pic.twitter.com/0KmkQeBjDC

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) January 17, 2026

Albanese’s hypocritical two-tier rush undermines our democracy

The Bondi massacre will define Mr Albanese’s prime ministership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has long positioned himself as a champion of due process, transparency, and democratic norms. Kindness is not weakness, he tells us. Yet his government’s frantic push to ram through omnibus legislation aimed at curbing civil rights and liberties reveals a stark hypocrisy that threatens the very foundations of Australian democracy.

As scholars of politics and international law, we call for the government to withdraw this omnibus bill, subject it to genuine parliamentary inquiry, and consult widely, including with those it claims to protect. Australia’s democratic legacy deserves better than a rushed power grab. Albanese must decide whether he will live up to the principles he demands of others or continue down a path that diminishes our nation’s standing as a free and fair society.

My latest in The Spectator Australia with Professor Sascha Dov Bachmann, Albanese’s hypocritical two-tier rush undermines our democracy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has long positioned himself as a champion of due process, transparency, and democratic norms.

Kindness is not weakness, he tells us.

Yet his government’s frantic push to ram through omnibus legislation aimed at curbing civil rights and liberties… pic.twitter.com/1IgmhneA9S

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) January 16, 2026