In this powerful episode of New Politics, we explore the extraordinary protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where up to 300,000 Australians defied torrential rain to demand justice for Palestine and an end to the genocide being perpetrated by Israel. This historic March for Humanity united people of all backgrounds – Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and secular; young and old; unionists, peace activists and families with children – all calling on the Australian government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine and halt military exports to Israel. While NSW Police tried to downplay the protest numbers and Premier Chris Minns sought to shut it down through the courts, the message from the public was clear: enough is enough. We look at the political response, the media spin, and the blatant attempts to criminalise dissent in Australia – alongside the growing internal revolt within the NSW Labor caucus over Minns’ increasingly authoritarian leadership style.
We also examine Prime Minister Albanese’s response to the crisis in Gaza, including his meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, the promise of $20 million in aid, and his request to speak with Benjamin Netanyahu – raising the question: what is the point, unless real action follows? We also discuss Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s belated acknowledgement that Palestine must be recognised soon or there may be nothing left to recognise – and a warning that may have come far too late. Drawing connections to past protests, such as the 2000 reconciliation march and the 2003 anti-Iraq war demonstrations, we discuss the long arc of history and whether Palestine can afford to wait for change.
Plus, we look at the Albanese government’s alarming plan to ban under-16s from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube through invasive age verification measures – including facial recognition and ID uploads. It’s a policy seemingly crafted not to protect children, but to appease Rupert Murdoch and protect News Corporation from its collapsing influence among young people. Is this really about public safety, or just another example of Labor serving corporate interests over public good?
And from the Top End, we review the Garma Festival and the Albanese government’s quiet but potentially game-changing announcements on Indigenous economic empowerment – $145 million in funding for clean energy projects and long-overdue Native Title reform. It may not have made headlines, but this could represent a genuine shift in Australia’s Indigenous affairs strategy – if Labor follows through.
Song listing:
‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’, A 440 VS U2 instrumental remix.
‘The Hanging Tree’, James Newton Howard, with Jennifer Lawrence.
‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner’, Ed Kuepper.
‘Take Me Home’, A.B. Original & Gurrumul.
‘Get Back’, The Beatles (remix).
