Latest news with #NikiSavva
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ultimate Liberal insider Niki Savva makes big call about the future of the party
One of the best connected political operatives in Australia has claimed the Liberal Party is on the brink of extinction following its landslide defeat at the May 3 federal election. Niki Savva - a former staffer to Peter Costello, newspaper columnist and regular commentator on the ABC's Insiders show - issued the dire warning while speaking at the Sydney Writers' Festival in Town Hall on Saturday. Fellow panelists Waleed Aly, George Megalogenis and Amy Remeikis listened intently as Savva described the Coalition wipeout as an 'unmitigated disaster'. 'I think the way things have turned out, the Liberal Party is on the brink of extinction,' Savva said. 'I think they have spent the last ten years moving further and further to the right, trying to appease an ageing ultra-conservative base. 'If the Liberal Party doesn't change, it will die. If it continues to go on this path, then it will no longer cease to exist as a mainstream political party.' Labor claimed 94 seats at the election, while the Coalition took just 43. The Liberals also lost their leader Peter Dutton when voters in his electorate of Dickson swung towards Labor candidate, Ali France. A more measured Aly supported Savva's argument, blaming the party's failings on walking away from a focus on economics. Savva (left) joined a panel of esteemed commentators for a Sydney Writers' Festival panel discussion on Saturday 'I think when Niki talks about the Liberal Party being on the brink of extinction, she's not being melodramatic,' he said. 'What's happened is liberal economics ceased to be the organising principle (of the party).' Aly said the Liberal Party of old 'wouldn't really do the culture-warring in the way that we've come to know'. 'John Howard was, I think, brilliant at resolving this contradiction by saying, "I'll give you Liberal economics, even with the uncertainties that that has inherent in it ... but I'll then re-securitise you through the politics of culture, nation, national identity".' Dutton weighed in on a number of 'culture war' topics in the lead up to May 3. He slammed 'woke' agendas in the nation's school systems and planned to sack tens of thousands of public servants while calling the rest back to work in the office. He also announced he would only stand in front of the Australian flag - rather than including the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags as Anthony Albanese does. Dutton also criticised the number of Welcome to Country ceremonies held at public events and ceremonies. Waleed Aly claimed the Liberal Party has strayed too far from its roots in recent years Aly claimed the party's stance on migration was also partially to blame for declining votes in outer-city seats. Dutton at one point promised to reduce net migration to 160,000 people in his first year if elected. The former member for Dickson promised to slash permanent migration from 185,000 in 2024-25 to 140,000 in 2025-26. Aly claimed the Liberals have long alienated minorities - driving his own late father, a Liberal-supporting business owner, from the party decades ago. 'You have a situation where all these minorities – and I'm not into the whole identity politics, analysis of things – but all these minorities, having been alienated repeatedly, over and over a long period of time, haven't come back to (the party),' Aly said. Political analyst and left-wing commentator Remeikis, from the Australia Institute, said the election was a grave sign of things to come for the party. 'I don't just think that the Liberal Party is heading to extinction; I think this is the death notice,' she said. 'This is the last gasp of the Liberal Party. 'And I think it's coming up to the last gasp of the two party system in Australia, which has basically been the foundation of our democracy since the post-war. 'And the reason I say that is that the Liberals have lost most of their blue ribbon seats.' Remeikis said the Coalition was not likely to win the next election, and wouldn't have a chance 'until 2030'. 'We've got at least six years of the Labor government ahead of us,' she said. 'By the time the Coalition, if it still exists – if the Liberal Party still exists, if the National Party still exists – are collectively competitive again, we're in the 2030s. 'Do you think anyone is talking about nuclear or the energy transition? Gee whiz. No. So (the parties are) completely irrelevant to these fights that they're having.' The commentators also criticised Dutton's campaign style. They labelled him 'not match fit' at press conferences, shambolic in his policy choice, and said Dutton's attempt at softening his 'hard man' image only confused voters. The 'Trump effect' also had a big impact on the election, the pundits added. 'The Trump factor was kicking in around the world, and Trump was starting to be a drag on the right-wing ticket, wherever it was being tested,' Cassidy said. Aly said the effects of Trump's policies in Australia, including the tariffs, began to scare local voters. 'What I think it ultimately happened was Trump came in petrified everybody, everyone who looked at his style of politics and thought, "oh, wow, this could be there could be real world consequences to this and Australia as a collective",' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Very mad': Niki Savva's identity stolen with fake social media account
Niki Savva's kettle is boiling dry. Someone has stolen the renowned columnist's social media identity and set up a fake account on X – although it has been verified with a blue tick as of May 2025. And the political commentator is not happy. The account, @TheNikiSavva, has amassed more than 6000 followers, but its reach was supercharged during the election (likely thanks to the paid-for verification), sometimes reaching 80,000 people with such off-brand, non-Savva insights as: 'My endorsement goes to the gorgeous and charismatic Tim Wilson.' 'A clear case of identity theft,' Savva tells CBD. The journalist has tried to get the offending account taken down from X, but says since Elon Musk's purchase of the site formerly known as Twitter it has been difficult. A document signed by a power of attorney is required. 'I have never and will never do social media,' Savva continued. 'If people want to know what I think, please read this masthead. And my books. 'Forgive the rant, but it does make me very mad.'
Sydney Morning Herald
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dutton's shambolic campaign has made it easy for Albanese
Niki Savva usually gets it right about our politicians, this time Peter Dutton (' Dutton stumbles in race of his life,' May 1). His shambolic campaign has made it easier for a rather smug Anthony Albanese. Dutton's Trump-like labelling of the ABC and SBS as 'hate-media' impugns so many first-rate, unbiased presenters. His frequent back-flips on international relationships, his denigration of the teals, the Greens and Indigenous Australians, his preparedness to link up with the likes of Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer, and his persistence with nuclear manifest has put off many voters. Moreover, the torpid Angus Taylor's release of the Coalition's costings a mere two days before the election shamefully ensures little time to assess their accuracy. As Savva suggests, all of this has jolted a complacent Albanese into action. Doing so might mean Dutton losing an election he might have won, had he not been so arrogant. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne On top of Niki Savva's criticism of Dutton, there's the release of the Coalition's financial statement just two days before the election, giving no time for examination and comment. That's outrageous. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer Alexandra Smith's article brought back memories of my husband and myself reporting to vote for the first time since emigrating in 1982 (' How UberEats killed the democracy sausage,' May 1). In Scotland, we were used to sombre, quiet lining up under the watchful eye of the police. Talking was frowned upon. Think strict libraries of the past. So imagine our initial confusion, then delight, to discover that Australians prefer a colourful, lively, big street party, as they perform their civic duties. Pauline McGinley, Drummoyne The Coalition circus continues. After a series of policy backflips, shadow treasurer Angus Taylor steps on stage to announce how he'll cut the budget deficit by $40 billion over four years (' Dutton promises $40b debt cut as nuclear questions grow,' May 1). But instead of raising revenue – say, by properly taxing the resource sector – he plans to axe the $20 billion 'Rewiring the Nation' fund, most of which has already been allocated for vital energy infrastructure. Cutting 41,000 public service jobs and shelving Labor's student debt relief plan are also part of the act. This isn't smart fiscal reform; it's an unpopular high-risk stunt. And the grand finale? Wheeling out the big white elephant of nuclear energy – a fittingly extravagant and absurd end to the Coalition's show. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic) The Greens are to the Labor Party what the Nationals are to the Liberal Party. Both are freeloaders, riding on the coat tails of the major parties. They're not good enough or strong enough to govern in their own right, so they hitch their wagons to a senior party and then try and dictate the direction they should take. 'If you don't play ball, we'll withdraw our support,' is the message. Remember Max Chandler-Mather? I'd rather vote teal than support Greens or Nats. Graham McWhirter, Shell Cove It would be ideal to ban political spam texts but I would just like to be able to block them (' PM hates spam texts ' May 1). I don't seem to be able to because they are using the same methods as scammers. Is political spam just a scam? Surely not. Neil Reckord, Gordon (ACT) The self-serving, often 'pythonesque' process that politicians work the elections is like we're watching a chaotic, absurdist play. If ethical reasoning, critical thinking, empathy, and intellectual humility became central pillars of education, over the 'three Rs', voting might shift from a transaction of personal gain to a process of collective responsibility. If people could think critically about the impact their votes have on others, especially those with less power or fewer resources, the whole democratic process could be transformed from a competition for resources to a genuine collaboration for fairness. Alas, I dream. Linda Mayer, Pyree The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. Dutton's negativity knows no bounds. He criticises and flip-flops without providing coherent solutions. Dutton continues to promote division in our society through his culture wars. As for the Coalition's economic performance, inflation was 6.12 per cent and trending up when they were last in power. Meanwhile, under Albanese inflation is heading down, wages are moving up, taxes are going down and unemployment remains low. This calm, methodical style of governance contrasts to the chaotic scandal-ridden previous administration. So what will the future hold? The opposition's negativity and chaos, or Labor's steady progress? Brian Hastings, Drummoyne The politicians know it, the public knows it, the investors getting richer know it, 'negative gearing' is the single most potent force causing the housing crisis. Other matters play into the mix, such as the deregulation of banks and foreign ownership of housing, but these are not as powerful as negative gearing. How is it that some of those who benefit most from this taxpayer-funded handout are the ones who decide that it will continue? We need federal politicians with the courage to make decisions that will benefit the whole community, not just themselves. Penny Rosier, North Epping Churchill said 'The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.' Times have changed – now it's a five-minute conversation with the average candidate. John Grinter, Katoomba Cynical ploy The Exclusive Brethren have upped the ante in the hypocrisy stakes and still Dutton doesn't get it (' EB chief's son spotted supporting Liberal Party,' May 1). Albanese is on the money challenging the Coalition as to the 'quid pro quo' for this cult's support, and it is disingenuous for Dutton to claim he has never asked about their religious beliefs. This controversial church, which has on its conscience countless family break-ups, may not allow its members to vote, but their covert support for right-wing politics has a long and well-documented history, both in Australia and overseas. It is typical of the Brethren's mendacity to claim their current campaigning for the Coalition is a spontaneous action by individuals, in a feeble attempt to distance their church from political activity. Of one thing you can be sure – the Exclusive Brethren will stop at nothing to maintain their government-granted charitable status and keep their tax-free millions. Joy Nason, Mona Vale Public fooled by fossil fuel lobby At this stage in human history is it incomprehensible that anyone should suggest that 'the green transition risks losing democratic legitimacy altogether' (' Tide turning on politics of climate,' May 1). The ones who should be losing their democratic legitimacy are the fossil fuel industry, yet their lobbyists continue to wine and dine our politicians. They continue to obtain billions in subsidies, estimated at $14 billion in 2023-24, yet all the while their products are causing irreversible damage to the environment. Why does their 'legitimacy' remain while the green transition is in danger of losing its? Money doesn't talk, it screams. Neil Ormerod, Kingsgrove It's a mystery why so many people fail to recognise the hysterical propaganda disseminated by the $10 trillion global fossil fuel industry, which faces the prospect of reduced profits (' MAGA-style bid to derail clean energy ', May 1). In the US, voters literally voted against themselves after falling for Trump's anti-renewables 'drill, baby, drill' propaganda. Similarly in Australia, the big spending, self-interested anti-renewables lobby continues to demonise clean, cheap energy in support of the Coalition. Another piece (' Tide turning on politics of climate,' May 1) suggests that global anti-renewable lobbying has reached fever pitch with vague and unscientific claims of disaster for countries that abandon fossil fuels. It's tragic. Alison Stewart, Riverview Former British PM Tony Blair says we can't afford the cost off getting to net zero quickly. On that logic, don't spend money on your doctor until you're terminally ill, your dentist until your teeth fall out or your house until it collapses. Prevention is better than cure. Jill Robinson, Randwick Here's a question for the Tony Blair's of this world and their 'we can't afford to get to net zero quickly'. Can we afford the cost of dealing with the damage caused by not getting to net zero as soon as possible? Don't forget, there is a cost to inaction, too. Michael Berg, Randwick There's been no comment about the disastrous Spanish and Portuguese renewables blackout by energy minister Chris Bowen, probably because he's in hiding until Sunday. Paul Haege, Darling Point Shades of green I'm writing in response to the letters from Peter Brown and John Rome about the environmental benefits of EVs, solar power and windmills (Letters, April 30). It's overly simplistic to focus solely on the lack of tailpipe emissions of an EV. What about the approximate 226,000 kg of earth that needs to be mined for a single battery, including child labor and fatalities in the rare earth mineral extraction, as well as the considerable waste generated and the eventual disposal of the entire battery system due to its limited lifespan. Ultimately, assessing the environmental friendliness of EVs depends on where one chooses to draw the line and what aspects of the entire lifecycle are considered. If we isolate the driving phase, then it is technically accurate to say EVs produce zero emissions. But who is that deceiving? Peter Phizacklea, Sydney Songs of joy Letter writers have questioned the strange workings of the Department of Home Affairs over the Ubuntu Africa choir – how do you come to this country for the first time when you are not allowed in because you haven't been here before (' Joy for African choir over visa backflip,' May 1)? Now that public opinion has been informed by this paper, the Department has changed its mind and says the original applications cannot be used but new ones can be made (at extremely short notice). Along the lines of asinine bureaucratic reasoning, one would bet that the information, already stored on a computer, would have to be rewritten by each applicant. Donald Hawes, Peel Cash converter Yes, it's appropriate to hold some of your super, or other funds you rely on in retirement, as cash, just in case things go pear-shaped (' How much of my super should I keep in cash? ' 30 April). But if you haven't made the switch yet, when should you do so? Switching a large amount of your super into cash is just like making a big, one-off withdrawal. Great if you do so before the market has tanked, but not so good if you do so afterwards. If you have the luxury of time, then maybe it would be best to do so gradually. That way the state of the market when you make the switch is averaged. You may not switch at the top of the market, but neither will you regret switching at the bottom. David Rush, Lawson Age-old recipe While I have the greatest admiration for Nagi Maehashi (best, most-used recipe books ever), and don't know Brooke Bellamy's efforts, these plagiarism claims don't hold much water since the 'caramel slice' and 'baklava', as well as Bill Granger's 'Portuguese tarts', are all age-old recipes invented before any of the claimants were born (' Baking bad: RecipeTin Eats v Brooke Bellamy recipe row, ' May 1). How different can any of these recipes be from the 'originals' and still be called by their official names if the recipes are not almost identical. Let's just say, none of you are the rightful owners of any of the recipes, so why don't you have a nice cup of tea and a caramel slice to calm down? Maryan Glaister, Buderim Nagi Maehashi and Brooke Bellamy need to get in line. That's my Auntie Joan's caramel slice recipe from the 70's they are arguing about. Susan McMillan, Cherrybrook Surely baklava and caramel slices have been around much longer than either of these cooks. But what a tasty little earner for their lawyers. Kath Maher. Lidcombe
