For episode 14 of the liberty itch podcast, the honourable John Ruddick - Libertarian Party member of the NSW Legislative Council - gives his assessment of the 2025 Australian federal election, the issues impacting the result, how Labor won, and the future of freedom-focussed parties in Australian politics.
John is a lifelong libertarian who devoted over 20 years to trying to redirect the Liberal Party back toward its founding principles. In 2018 he published a book entitled ‘Make the Liberal Party Great Again’. But in 2021, after the Liberal government’s hysterical covid response, he abandoned the party to join the Liberal Democrats; now known as the Libertarian Party.
Johns inaugural speech in the NSW parliament should be considered essential viewing for all libertarians. He covers all of the big issues in Australian politics, pulling no punches, yet remaining affable throughout. The speech’s truthfulness resulted in it being banned by YouTube. However, YouTube has since revised what is ‘true’, and so the speech is available again. You can find it here…
In this podcast, John gives a fascinating and deeply thought-provoking analysis of the Australian political landscape, with powerful historical and international references, and his characteristic candidness.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
1:47 How did Labor win?
9:54 Liberal party dysfunction
16:05 Disrupting Australian politics
24:39 Freedom alliances
27:18 Misrepresentation of preferential voting
31:24 Why does the media hate freedom?
35:33 The compulsory voting problem
38:53 Destructive UN policies
50:26 Trump effect on Australian election
53:48 How will Albanese govern?
56:48 Climate change hoax
1:02:16 Freedom parties next steps
From Thatcher to Milei, amazing chat!
Thank you sir.
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Thanks
Excellent discussion. I also think the Trump Effect was (as in Canada) real in Australia, and perhaps the Liberal Party went "small ball" because of that.
John Ruddick is a great example of the type of politician we want more of!
Thanks Brett. As you can probably tell from the interview, I am floored by the idea that the media lies about Trump somehow made large numbers of people overlook the catastrophic direction Australia is headed under Labor, and vote for Albo again. I do not dispute that you and John are right. I am sure you are. I just find it staggering. And clearly I am not lacking the necessary cynicism to think it is true. ;-)
I also agree with you about John being a great example of the type of politician we need more of. Unfortunately, he seems to be in the wrong era. Being intelligent, articulate, rational and charismatic are not 'on trend' in the current western political climate. Lets hope that turns around before it's too late!
Yes, John could end up being another Ron Paul (or Thomas Massey), who was famous for being the only 'neh' in otherwise unanimous senate votes - a literal "lone voice in the wilderness".
On the other hand, I think social media has changed the game somewhat: more of the real discussion is happening outside the august halls of parliament and the legacy media. Clear thinkers like John can well become Big Dogs in social media and drive the debate. We are seeing this more and more. The government/media complex is losing control of the narrative.
I 100% agree, Brett.