Anna Henderson's Canberra: Pocock piles on gas tax pressure

In this episode of Late Night Live, host David Marr speaks with Anna Henderson, SBS Chief Political Correspondent, about the shifting political landscape in Canberra just three weeks before the federal budget. The discussion centers on the declining momentum of One Nation, which has faced renewed scrutiny over allegations of financial mismanagement and the controversial hiring of a convicted rapist, prompting opposition parties to launch targeted messaging in the upcoming Farrah by-election. Despite One Nation's earlier polling highs, recent surveys suggest a drop in support, raising questions about the party's long-term viability and internal governance. Meanwhile, the Labor government faces mounting pressure over economic challenges, including inflation, regional drought, and the ballooning costs of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is expected to face significant cuts. Minister Mark Butler is set to unveil cost-reduction measures at the National Press Club, potentially affecting vulnerable groups. While the opposition under Angus Taylor may support broad NDIS reforms, internal divisions and political opportunism could complicate consensus. The episode underscores a tense, high-stakes pre-budget period marked by economic strain, political maneuvering, and deep public skepticism about government spending. Key takeaways include the fragility of political momentum, especially for minor parties like One Nation; the difficulty of cutting social welfare programs despite fiscal necessity; the growing importance of regional concerns in national politics; and the emergence of 'barbed bipartisanship'—where oppositions may agree in principle but attack in detail. The episode also highlights the enduring impact of past scandals, such as Pauline Hanson’s prison sentence, on current political credibility. As the budget looms, the government must balance fiscal responsibility with public trust, while the opposition seeks to exploit both economic anxiety and moral controversies.