Squiz Today Weekly Wrap Preview: The Coalition split (again)
Jan 23, 2026
A wide political shakeup after the Coalition formally split and senior figures resigned from the frontbench. Heated debate over new hate crimes and terror laws drove parliamentary recalls and tense voting. A polling surge for One Nation and historic parallels raise fresh pressure on rural conservatives. The conversation also touches on jewellery viral moments and wider news wrap highlights.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Week That Unravelled Fast
- Claire Kimball recounts the week that began with a recalled parliament and ended with the Coalition split.
- She outlines day-by-day events showing how quickly the political situation unravelled.
Bundled Reforms Hit Political Limits
- The emergency sitting bundled hate speech reforms, a gun buyback and visa powers into one package.
- The Prime Minister dropped criminalisation of general promotion of hatred after lacking support, showing legislative limits.
Shadow Cabinet Solidarity Broke
- The Nationals fractured their agreed position by choosing abstention in the House and voting against in the Senate.
- That breakdown exposed a failure of shadow cabinet collective responsibility under pressure.