Politics Expert: The Rise of One Nation, Australia’s biggest problems & Gen Z’s Voting Shift

In this conversation, political strategist and pollster Kos Samaras explains how Australia’s political landscape is fragmenting beyond recognition. He reveals why traditional Liberal and Labor voters are abandoning both major parties, how disillusioned Australians are turning to One Nation and the Greens, and why the country is heading toward a more divided political future. From the collapse of manufacturing in regional Australia to the psychological impact of Melbourne’s lockdowns, Samaras breaks down the economic, cultural and generational forces reshaping Australian democracy. He also explores why younger Australians are losing faith in the system, why many no longer believe they can afford children or home ownership, and how social media algorithms are accelerating political polarisation across the country. In this episode: • Why many traditional Liberal voters no longer recognise the party • How Australia could be heading toward three consecutive Labor terms • The deeper frustrations driving the rise of One Nation • Why almost half of young Australians fear they’ll never afford a family • Melbourne’s post-lockdown political divide becoming a global case study • How the Liberal Party has lost dominance in metropolitan Australia • The growing political split between younger and older generations • Why corporate Australia is losing trust with future consumers • The collapse of manufacturing and its impact on regional communities • How social media and algorithms are reshaping political behaviour Executive Producer: Samuel Morgan Filmed & Edited by: Adam Cavenor Head of Production: Jonah Mclachlan Producer: Patrice Aravanis 00:00 Kos Samaras on what the Nepean by-election really means 03:10 Kos on why he is a pollster 05:42 72% of Australians didn't pay for news last year 08:38 Are Trump and his team smarter than we think 11:22 The voters the Liberals are throwing away 14:46 Why small business is the missing constituency 17:51 One Nation's rise 23:50 Where voters actually get their information now 26:43 Why Melbourne is an international PTSD case study 29:47 Burn the place down: the sentiment sweeping the country 32:16 The most progressive voter is a 25 year old woman 35:09 The HECs debt time bomb and the AI jobs apocalypse 38:33 Gen Z voter demographics 41:39 What this country needs to do to invest in itself 44:35 The Liberals hold 8 metro seats out of 89 47:44 The algorithm rewards intolerance and division 50:24 Have we become more ruthless when we vote 54:09 The Farrow election and what's coming next 56:12 Howard's gun buyback and Keating's super - real political courage