Full Story Back to Back Barries and Niki Savva on a seismic year in politics
Dec 12, 2025
Niki Savva, an award-winning journalist and author of "Earthquake: The Election that Shook Australia," shares her insights on Australian politics. She discusses the implications of Labor's 2025 election win and whether Albanese can sustain momentum for reform. The conversation shifts to the Liberals' struggle, examining the party's heartland losses and the rise of One Nation. Niki also explores economic challenges ahead and the potential for state leader Peter Malinauskas to influence national politics, rounding out a year of seismic political shifts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Joyce–One Nation Is Fragile
- Barnaby Joyce joining One Nation could boost the party, but personal and ideological clashes make the partnership unstable.
- Niki Savva doubts longevity, noting both are strong-willed and unlikely to defer to each other.
Delivery Creates Expectation For Reform
- Labor spent seven months delivering election promises, raising expectations for bolder reforms next year.
- Niki Savva warns Albanese must use the mandate to push tax and regulatory reform rather than marking time.
Push Structural Reform Now
- Embrace reform now: tackle tax, regulation and structural changes to prepare Australia for future shocks.
- Avoid retreating when reforms become politically difficult, Niki Savva warns.
