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

I doubt you missed the demise of the Liberal Party, which happened in its birthplace over the weekend. But you might have missed the irony of Pauline Hanson and One Nation supporters singing John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice’ in Farrer.

The song was part of the infamous Voice to Parliament campaign while the One Nation victory is perhaps the least-Woke event possible. In my view, Pauline is now Sadie the Cleaning Lady. The room certainly loved it.

One Nation’s thumping win in Farrer wasn’t just a by-election, it was a political earthquake. David Farley stormed home with over 39 per cent of the primary vote and more than 57 per cent after preferences. The once-mighty Coalition scraped together barely 20 per cent.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, What did I miss? Australia’s political week in fast-forward. 

Probably the main thing you missed this week was that Nasa released actual footage of UFOs under President Trump’s orders.

‘We found many very interesting documents, I must say…’ said President Trump.

Yes. No doubt that's how Australians will feel about the Budget after Jim… pic.twitter.com/8M0e17PGcB

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) May 11, 2026

Here’s what Albo can do with his Medicare card

I know exactly what Albo can do with Medicare card. I'll leave the rest to Hemingway’s ‘iceberg’.

When Albo flashes that card, he is taking the mickey. Whenever anything goes wrong, he pulls it out as if to say, ‘Look what we do for you!’ I’d rather keep my Medicare Levy in my own pocket and get a real benefit from my health insurance. Instead, we pay and pay and get nothing in return. If only I could fill out a form with my left hand and spell my name wrong.

Mind you, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence of that happening on the NDIS. You could see that enormous rort a mile away.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Here’s what Albo can do with his Medicare card.

When Albo flashes that card, he is taking the mickey.

Whenever anything goes wrong, he pulls it out as if to say, ‘Look what we do for you!’

I’d rather keep my Medicare Levy in my own pocket and get a real benefit from my health insurance.

Instead, we pay and pay and get… pic.twitter.com/JFPdmM1Y5z

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) May 6, 2026

Labor’s spending left the RBA with no option

In 2025, the Treasurer said rising private sector demand would see a reduction in public sector demand.

Since Labor took office in 2022, federal spending has grown faster than the economy. The 2025 budget projected a $42.1 billion deficit, with gross debt approaching $1 trillion and spending as a share of GDP heading toward 26.9 per cent. Both the Parliamentary Budget Office and Treasury have identified Labor’s policy decisions as the main driver of a significant deterioration in the medium-term budget position. When government pumps extra demand into the economy without corresponding supply-side gains, inflation becomes harder to tame.

In the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall wrote:

It’s hard to imagine an election where a Treasurer like Jim Chalmers walks away with his seat, let alone his appointment, intact. Is he the worst Treasurer this country has ever seen? There’s a debate about that online. One thing is for sure, as Michael de Percy writes of the latest rate hike, he’ll be unable to side-step the criticism. Everyone is hurting. People are being tipped over the edge of financial ruin. This is not the Australia of people’s dreams.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Labor’s spending left the RBA with no option.

Australia’s inflation problem is back, and the RBA has responded with three interest-rate hikes in 2026 alone, lifting the cash rate to 4.35 per cent today.

The deeper issue lies in Labor’s consistent philosophical preference for redistribution, public spending, and expanded… pic.twitter.com/GFur5zMRUP

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) May 5, 2026