Australia has often been called the ‘lucky country’. Today, it faces a series of economic, cultural, and geopolitical challenges, seemingly without a political class that is equipped to address them. Has Australia’s luck run out?

Will ponders this question with the Chief Economist at the Institute of Public Affairs, and columnist for The Australian, Adam Creighton.

The (not so) lucky country, with Adam Creighton

When classical liberals and conservatives took the fight to the ‘woke left’, many made the mistake of thinking that victory would automatically mark a return to classical liberal and conservative principles. Whilst the battle is not over, it is now clear that it won’t be that simple. In fact, perhaps the greatest achievement of the ‘woke left’ has been its role in the creation of a ‘woke right’.

To discuss the troubling phenomenon that has been the talk of Twitter in recent months, Will is joined by author, podcaster, and professional troublemaker, James Lindsay.

The rise of the woke right, with James Lindsay

Greg Sheridan wrote recently that Australia is a nation in decline. Across every indicator you can imagine – economy, living standards, social cohesion, crime, health, military capability, the creativity and virtuosity of the arts – we’re in serious decline.

He's one of many Australian media and political figures worried about the future of the once lucky country. Are they right, and if so what can be done? Will discusses these questions (with the odd detour into Roman history) with journalist Joe Hildebrand.

The decline and fall of Australia(?), with Joe Hildebrand

The nanny state is on the march across the West, propped up by weak leaders taking their cues from a small group of tedious, moralising activists. It's time they were exposed. Enter the '25 Nanny State Index, compiled by the Institute of Economic Affairs' Chris Snowdon.

Will and Chris discuss why 'nanny-stateism' is on the rise, how the UK compares to Europe, and which country wins the ignominious award for Europe's most miserable nanny state.

Raging against the nanny state, with Chris Snowdon

Keir Starmer's latest U-turn may be his most consequential. Last Saturday, he announced a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. Will it be a vehicle for justice, and a long overdue reckoning for multiculturalism and mass-migration? Or will it be just another pointless political excuse-fest? 

To help Will understand the latest developments in this shocking story, he is joined by the editor of Spiked, Tom Slater.

All aboard the far-right bandwagon, with Tom Slater

The UK government is "going for growth" whilst pursuing an aggressive net zero energy policy. Are the two goals compatible? Spoiler alert: No.

In this conversation with Will, philosopher and energy expert Alex Epstein dismantles the accepted climate science narrative, and advocates for a world with more fossil fuels, not less. Alex's most recent book is titled, 'Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas - Not Less'.

The case for fossil fuels, with Alex Epstein

The UK is arguably at its lowest ebb. It is beset by a series of existential economic, cultural and social problems. The major parties appear ill-equipped to address these problems. After all, they created them.

Nigel Farage's Reform party is leading in the polls. Is he the right man for this monumental job, or is he just another member of the 'uniparty'? There are few people who know Nigel better, and are better placed to answer that question, than journalist and political advisor, Alex Phillips.

Who is the real Nigel Farage? – Alex Phillips

Many UK politicians think illegal immigration is an unsolvable problem. It’s easier to put illegal migrants in fancy hotels and hope for the best. GB News host Patrick Christys has put them to shame. In recent weeks, Patrick has infiltrated the people smuggling networks in France. His insights into the migrant crisis are astonishing.

Will and Patrick also discuss the ‘Great Afghan cover up’, the failures of the UK media, and whether Nigel Farage really is the right man to save Britain.

Smashing gangs and stopping boats, with Patrick Christys

On the one hand, the worst excesses of the woke era appear to be behind us. On the other, the institutions have been so ideologically corrupted, over such a long period, that perhaps the battle is only just beginning. Have we reached the end of woke? 

To answer that question, Will is joined by author, satirist and journalist, Andrew Doyle. Andrew's latest book is titled, 'The End of Woke: How the Culture War Went Too Far and What to Expect from the Counter-Revolution'.

The end of woke, with Andrew Doyle

As October 7 has faded in the public consciousness, a pervasive narrative has taken hold that Israel are the real antagonists of the war in Gaza. Western media is overwhelmingly anti-Israel (and in some instances, flat out antisemitic). There are few people with the experience and honesty to cut through the fog of war and explain the conflict as it is. John Spencer is one of those people.
John is considered one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare, having served as an advisor to the top four-star general and other senior leaders in the U.S. Army as part of strategic research groups from the Pentagon to the United States Military Academy.
John currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project.

The end of woke, with Andrew Doyle

Spectator Australia