Weekly Wrap Up – 12 December 2025
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Australian politics has entered a moment in which the numbers tell a story the major parties would rather avoid.
Newspoll polling this week has delivered a stark warning to both major parties. Anthony Albanese’s personal approval ratings have fallen to their lowest point since becoming Prime Minister, while support for Labor and the Coalition continues to fragment. The standout beneficiary is Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, which has surged to unprecedented levels in national polling and is now competing directly with the major parties for primary vote support.
The rise has sparked increasing debate within conservative politics. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has attributed One Nation’s surge to voter frustration over the Government’s handling of the economy and persistent cost-of-living pressures, while firmly ruling out any formal non-compete electoral arrangement with the party. Yet the issue is unlikely to fade from view. Newly elected Federal Liberal Party President – and former Prime Minister – Tony Abbott has openly raised the prospect of closer cooperation, underscoring a broader existential challenge confronting the Coalition: how should it respond to a growing populist vote that it can neither ignore nor fully embrace?
Meanwhile, the political weather is equally turbulent in Victoria. Fresh polling has intensified scrutiny on Premier Jacinta Allan’s leadership, with Labor now trailing both the Coalition and One Nation on primary vote share. This has underscored the scale of the party’s current electoral challenges and renewed speculation over whether Labor MPs may seek a change ahead of the upcoming state election in November. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has become the focal point of that discussion, even though Allan has publicly dismissed any suggestion that her position is under threat.
Against that backdrop, next week promises another significant marker in Australia’s political landscape. Pauline Hanson will deliver her first-ever National Press Club address after more than three decades in Federal politics. Whether viewed as a protest candidate, political disruptor, or enduring force in Australian politics, Hanson has never occupied a more consequential position in the national debate.
One thing is certain, the centre of gravity in Australian politics is shifting.
Top Talking Points
Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting: Anthony Albanese met New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, committing to trade integration, defence cooperation, and coordinated responses to regional challenges.
Ministerial Travel: Penny Wong and Richard Marles travelled to Germany, France and the UK to strengthen defence, security and economic ties, with a focus on Indo-Pacific stability.
Federal Polling: Federal Newspoll shows One Nation leading the primary vote at 31 per cent, ahead of Labor at 30 per cent and the Coalition at 18 per cent.
Victoria Polling: Victorian polling reports Labor’s primary vote at 23 per cent, the Coalition at 27 per cent, and One Nation surging to 25 per cent. The Coalition leads 53–47 on a two-party preferred basis.
Making headlines this week
Parliamentary Activity
Online Safety Updates
Children’s online safety has been a topic of discussion this week, as the social media ban for under-16-year-olds officially marked six months since implementation, alongside Apple announcing expanded child safety features. Anthony Albanese welcomed Apple’s announcement, describing it as evidence that social media reforms are influencing global technology companies. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly told Albanese that Australia’s push to strengthen online protections for children had shaped the changes. Meanwhile, there has been scrutiny about the effectiveness of the social media ban, with various reports that teens continue to access banned platforms. This milestone follows the recent release of an issues paper on the long-awaited Digital Duty of Care, which is being consulted on privately, ahead of legislation being finalised later this year.
Things to watch
16 June, the AFR will 
17 June, Pauline Hanson will ASIC, AFCA, and Genetic Testing Consultation Developments
ASIC released a follow-up report on death benefits, finding that some trustees had yet to implement basic process improvements and recommendations. It warned it may pursue litigation or enforcement action against non-compliant trustees, ahead of the Government’s proposed introduction of mandatory member service standards.
Daniel Mulino authorised the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to be the centralised External Dispute Resolution scheme for complaints under the Scams Prevention Framework. AFCA will handle complaints in banking, telecommunications and digital platforms.
Treasury opened consultation on draft regulations supporting the ban on the use of genetic test results in life insurance. The regulations aim to clarify how the ban applies to consumers, health practitioners and insurers, and confirm the infringement notice scheme under the Insurance Contracts Act 1984.
Fertiliser and Fuel, Defence Procurement, and Bluey’s World Moves
Don Farrell secured 31,000 tonnes of additional urea and 50 million litres of diesel through the Government’s Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility, partnering with Summit Fertilisers and BP Australia.
The Federal Government awarded a $72 million contract to Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions to establish a Queensland-based forging capability for 155mm artillery projectiles, in efforts to grow domestic ammunition production for the ADF by 2028.
The Queensland Government secured Bluey’s World until February 2028 through its Mega and Strategic Events Fund. Since opening in November 2024, the attraction has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors and generated over $156 million for the state economy.
Environmental Consultations, Electrification Push, and Smelter Support Developments
Murray Watt released two draft National Environmental Standards for consultation, covering community engagement and environmental data. The reforms aim to improve environmental outcomes while delivering clearer requirements and faster project approvals.
At the Bonn climate meeting, Chris Bowen supported a new international commitment to accelerate electrification, which aims for 35 per cent of global energy demand to be met by electricity by 2035. He also engaged with Pacific partners ahead of COP31.
Federal, South Australian, and Tasmanian governments committed $105 million to support Nyrstar’s Port Pirie and Hobart smelters. The refineries currently refine lead and zinc. Government supported feasibility studies will assess future expansion potential into other critical minerals, including antimony.
WSI, Meta, and Housing Delivery Authority Updates
Catherine King announced Western Sydney International Airport will commence freight operations on 26 July 2026, with passenger services commencing on 25 October 2026. At launch, Jetstar will operate up to 14 weekly flights between Sydney and Melbourne, alongside four weekly services to the Gold Coast and three weekly services to Brisbane.
Meta published its submission on the Government’s proposed News Bargaining Incentive, describing the draft legislation as “a discriminatory tax built on a false promise”. Under the proposal, digital platforms would be taxed up to 2.25 per cent unless they make deals to pay for news media.
The New South Wales Government announced that 8,400 homes have been declared state significant. To date, on the recommendation of the Housing Delivery Authority, 373 proposals have been declared SSD, aiming to support the delivery of 124,500 homes.
Arthritis, Child Care Subsidy, and Senate Committee Extension Moves
Mark Butler announced a new $100 million Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Research Mission. The 10-year initiative will support collaboration between researchers, clinicians, industry and patients to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting more than seven million Australians.
The Department of Education confirmed that the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate caps will increase from 1 July as part of annual indexation. This raises the maximum hourly fee eligible for subsidy calculations, helping families manage rising child care costs.
The Senate Economics Legislation Committee requested an extension to its inquiry into the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026. The Committee is seeking to extend the reporting deadline from 18 June to 25 June to allow additional time to consider evidence and finalise deliberations.