Uniparty is out of touch with the realities of growing old

We’ve lost something of late, but I think AI might just bring it back.

Last month at the National Press Club, Council of the Ageing (COTA) Chair Christopher Pyne laid out the findings of the State of the Older Nation report. Ageism is rife, older Australians feel dismissed, and policy remains stuck in outdated stereotypes. My question to Mr Pyne cut to the heart of it: Why does ageing policy so often feel designed for older people by an elite, progressive bubble rather than with them?

The answer, unfortunately, is that both major parties have lost touch with the lived experience of ageing in modern Australia. They see the grey tsunami coming – the number of Australians aged 65 and over projected to double within decades, the 70-plus cohort up 68 per cent in just 20 years – yet treat it as a budgetary headache or a voting bloc to be placated with press releases, not a profound demographic shift demanding honest, flexible policy.

My latest in The Spectatir Australia, Uniparty is out of touch with the realities of growing old.

Ageism is rife, older Australians feel dismissed, and policy remains stuck in outdated stereotypes.

My question to Mr Pyne cut to the heart of it: Why does ageing policy so often feel designed for older people by an elite, progressive bubble rather than with them?

The answer,… pic.twitter.com/RmxfLeat7i

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) February 26, 2026

Vale Brigadier ‘Warrie’ George Lyon Mansford AM

Vale Brigadier ‘Warrie’ George Lyon Mansford AM An Australian Army legend

Not for generations has there been a ‘soldier’s soldier’ of such calibre in the Australian Army nor a man who inspired so many of the best and brightest sons and daughters of Anzacs. Yesterday, Brigadier ‘Warrie’ George Lyon Mansford AM passed away at the age of 91. He didn’t die, for he will live on in many of our hearts forever.

My obituary of Brigadier George Lyon Mansford AM in The Spectator Australia.

Not for generations has there been a ‘soldier’s soldier’ of such calibre in the Australian Army nor a man who inspired so many of the best and brightest sons and daughters of Anzacs.

Yesterday, Brigadier ‘Warrie’ George Lyon Mansford AM passed away at the age of 91. He didn’t… pic.twitter.com/m57NSpgvR4

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

Leaked immigration policy debacle a boon for Angus Taylor

Every now and then, a complete balls-up can work in one’s favour.

The leaked document was prepared with signature blocks for Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Jonathon Duniam, and Shadow Immigration Minister, Senator Paul Scarr.

The tragedy that manifested at Bondi was, in my opinion, due to a two-pronged assault on our country. First, through a sustained domestic attack on Australian values and culture by our own political and cultural institutions, backed by Woke ideology. Second, by the federal and state governments and police by being actively weak on policing antisemitism and radical Islamist activism (which is still going on largely unchecked).

Sometimes in politics it is expedient to leak important documents.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Leaked immigration policy debacle a boon for Angus Taylor.

Every now and then, a complete balls-up can work in one’s favour.

Yesterday’s leaked Shadow Cabinet document marked ‘Shadow Cabinet-In-Confidence’ outlining the Coalition’s immigration policy did just that.

Article | https://t.co/Fu8ZmJiqTn pic.twitter.com/to3mCENHjN

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