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July 2, 2026
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SARAH ABO: It's safe to say it has been a big six months in Canberra, largely defined by broken promises and of course the dramatic rise of One Nation. One thing's for sure, our pollies probably can't wait for their Midwinter break. But first, let's discuss today's headlines with Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson and Independent MP Allegra Spender. Good morning to you both. James, no break from poor polling for you lot. The Financial Review this morning revealing One Nation has even overtaken Labor and the Coalition. For the first time in Victoria. It's getting pretty bad.
SENATOR JAMES PATERSON: Look, I think Victorian Liberals would be the first to say that the last couple of weeks have been messy and had a few distractions, but Jess Wilson has a laser-like focus on earning the trust of the Victorian people and giving Victorians the fresh start they need. The truth is that in Victoria, One Nation has no leader, no candidates, and no policies.
ABO: Which is even more alarming than isn't?
PATERSON: Well, if Victorians want change, there's really only one way to do that. That's vote Liberal and National because they're the ones who have a plan to tackle the crime crisis, to get on top of debt, to get government spending under control and to get cost of living under control. They're the only ones ready, and capable, and able to do that.
ABO: I hear you guys say that time and again, and it is a bit of a broken record, Allegra, don't you think? Because no one's listening, it seems.
ALLEGRA SPENDER MP: Look I think people are desperately frustrated with both the major parties and because I think they've become quite out of touch with the issues that worry Australians and I think there's a real lack of faith and I think you're seeing that a lot with the rise of One Nation and it's one of the reasons I think that myself and others are working on how do you provide an alternative to those major parties that isn't One Nation, that isn't so divisive but is competent and is focused on the policies that really need to be done.
ABO: And that's something you're doing, Allegra, and I guess James, despite your consistently bad polling, you decided to mock the newly formed Community Strong Party for only having two members of the Teals. I mean, at least Allegra is trying to move the needle, you can't necessarily say the same about you lot.
PATERSON: Well, actually, I give Allegra credit. I think she's being upfront and honest. The Teals have effectively operated like a political party for years but pretended not to be one. She's now having a go, forming one, and good luck to her. But I think it is revealing that she wasn't even able to convince her fellow Teal MPs that it's worth joining the party. If they don't want to join the party, why would Australians want to vote for a party like that?
SPENDER: It's very funny, James, to hear you say these things, I have to say, because you can't have it both ways. We can't either have never been a, always been a party, or we're not a big enough party now. So I think what people really want is actually people to focus less on each other, less on the politics, less on the sort of having a go at each other. More on the problems that people are facing. And that's really what I'm really proud to have done. And that's why I got elected in Wentworth, despite it being, you know, a Liberal seat for honestly decades, was because people felt that these major parties are completely out of touch with their communities With the values that they're meant to be representing and I think that's one of the most important pieces Like how do you build something that is from the ground up rather than from the top down?
ABO: I mean, if the polls are to be believed, Allegra, you might have more members than the Coalition at the next election. But do you think that the Libs need a rebrand?
SPENDER: Look, I think it's up to them. Again, I think I want to spend less of the time having a go at each other at the parties, and just I think what we all need to do is actually not rebrand, but get back to basics. Get back to what people are worrying about.
ABO: Well James, does that require you ousting Angus Taylor?
PATERSON: No, it doesn't. And on that previous question, I don't believe in a logo-led recovery. I believe in a policy-led recovery, and that's what Angus Taylor is doing right now. I think he outlined one of the most substantive, and serious, and deep budget reply speeches only a month or so ago.
ABO: And yet he's plunged your numbers lower than they've ever been. I mean, I did notice this snap of you and Andrew Hastie at the Midwinter Ball in Canberra last night. Is there anything that we can read into that? I think we've got that image, should probably pop up in a moment. You didn't take a photo with Angus Taylor. You've got one here with Andrew Hastie.
PATERSON: You can read into that that Andrew is a good mate of mine, and always has been, and so is Jonno Duniam, and we were farewelling Jonno for his last ever Midwinter Ball, also his first ever Midwinter Ball. He's done a very good job avoiding that. But we've got a serious plan to turn this country around. Angus has started that heavy policy work, that deep policy work that is what's required. It's easy for others to say they're going to smash the system, but actually, if Australians want change, they need people who've got a plan to do it.
ABO: All right, I did notice as well, Allegra, this lovely photo of you with your other Teals. Were you able to twist any of their arms to maybe join the Community Strong Party?
SPENDER: I'll be honest, like, we're actually just we're not, I know, what we're trying to do right now is build, and is build something from the ground up. So I know this isn't, this isn't like the normal sort of political parties where you're, you know, trying to get this person or that person quickly. What we're trying to do is build something that is authentic, and, and strong and that really builds to the next election. So, I think you know we've just started something really small so that's, where, how, I just setting expectations guys, go from the ground up.
ABO: A lot of shifting parts when it comes to Parliament these past six months, guys. Thank you so much for joining me this morning, appreciate it.
ENDS