
Politics Now Spills, inflation and One Nation - oh my!
Jan 29, 2026
Melissa Clarke, Radio National political correspondent and commentator, breaks down coalition infighting and leadership friction. She explores the Nationals' surprise leadership challenge and whether One Nation can translate rising traction into lower house wins. She also outlines the political fallout from a surprise inflation spike and what it means for budget and rate politics.
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Electoral Maths Drive Party Moves
- Boyce ruled out defecting to One Nation because lower house arithmetic makes winning unlikely.
- His positions echo One Nation-style policies but personal survival drives his choices.
Failed Moves Still Weaken Leaders
- Unexpected challenges can signal broader dissatisfaction even if they fail.
- Such moves often erode a leader's authority and can precipitate later successful challenges.
Leadership Damage From Spills
- Even unsuccessful spills inflict lasting damage on leaders' standing.
- David Littleproud's leadership is now on shaky ground regardless of immediate outcome.
