(Image: Private Media)

This is part 17 in a series. For the full series, go here.

We’ve raided the archives of the future to see what Australia would look like if current anti-democratic trends continued. Welcome to your coming dystopia…

The Australian Financial Review, April 14, 2027

“The first sitting of the Frydenberg government’s Energy Industry Voice to Parliament has been declared a success after it approved a range of bills submitted by the government expanding funding for new gas projects and indemnifying fossil fuel companies against all future climate policies. The Voice to Parliament has been controversial, with Labor and the Greens criticising it as a ‘third chamber’, a criticism dismissed by Energy Minister Bridget McKenzie as ‘out of touch and offensive’. Welcoming the CEOs of Woodside, Santos, Origin and Chevron to Canberra, McKenzie said the Voice was a ‘commonsense way to ensure Parliament doesn’t pass any laws that fail to take the needs of Australia’s biggest industry into account. Thousands of jobs and billions in investment are at stake.’ “

The Age, May 10, 2027

“Police will not charge anyone following a wild brawl that erupted at an ALP membership administration committee meeting in Docklands in February. The fight pitted Moderate Unity Socialist officials against Centre Right Unity staff from a number of state and federal MPs’ offices over the admission of 42 foreign students who had just arrived in the country at Tullamarine, and resulted in several hospitalisations and a fake death notice. A spokesperson for Victorian Police said: ‘Our investigation is complete and after receiving advice from the Office of Public Prosecutions and the attorney-general, no one will be charged.’ “

The Courier-Mail, May 31, 2027

“LNP member Anne Cutmore is once again in hot water after inflammatory social media posts. The North Queensland MP shared an anti-Semitic cartoon on the Australian Friends of President Trump Facebook page, which garnered more than 3500 likes, and posted a video on her own website calling for the execution of Greens politicians for ‘war crimes against humanity’ (sic). Nationals leader David Littleproud said he ‘certainly didn’t agree with’ Cutmore’s views and that he had ‘called in’ and ‘dressed down’ Cutmore but she was entitled to her opinions, however offensive some might find them’. Cutmore has repeatedly threatened to cross the floor and vote against the government…”

news.com.au, September 12, 2027

“An initiative in which MPs will charge to accept communications from constituents has been endorsed by the joint partyroom today. Under legislation to be introduced this week, MPs will be able to seek a donation from any constituent looking to raise an issue with them, with the funding going to election campaigns. ‘There’s no doubt that democracy has a cost,’ said Special Minister of State Tim Wilson. ‘It’s expensive to run modern election campaigns and MPs work very hard to address their constituents’ concerns. A pricing signal will ensure that frivolous or trivial communications are weeded out, reducing the burden on MPs and their hardworking staff.’ Only donations over $16,200 will be declarable under electoral laws.”

The Sydney Morning Herald, November 18, 2027

“Infrastructure Minister Scott Buchholz has defended the allocation of billions in funding from the Coastal Climate Adaptation Fund to marginal non-coastal seats, after a scathing auditor-general report. The ANAO report found that, in the lead-up to the 2025 election, Buchholz’s predecessor, Barnaby Joyce, allocated more than $3 billion in funding meant for coastal remediation and climate adaptation projects to address rising sea levels to electorates with no coastlines. The electorates of Chisholm, Higgins, Casey, Deakin and La Trobe in Victoria, Swan and Hasluck in Western Australia, Dickson in Queensland, Sturt in South Australia, and Lindsay in New South Wales received funding for projects totalling $3.2 billion, including for new sporting facilities, road widening, additional car parks, and in the case of Dickson, a $500 million grant to a new Coal World theme park. ‘A strict focus on coastal adaptation is short-sighted,’ Buchholz said. ‘We’re focused on the future, when people are going to have to move away from coastal areas further inland. Thanks to the Frydenberg-Littleproud government, they’ll have fantastic facilities waiting for them.’ “

Herald Sun, December 4, 2027

“The government will extend mandatory QR code check-ins at all locations for a seventh consecutive year, claiming that the data is ‘crucial for ensuring that the persistent threat of endemic COVID is managed effectively. We thank Victorians for their cooperation.’ Fines for failing to check in at all indoor locations will be increased to $20,000. Victoria Police welcomed the move, saying that QR code data had proved invaluable in solving at least three serious crimes in recent years…”

The Australian, January 26, 2028

“Prime Minister Josh Frydenberg will begin an election year with a major Australia Day speech in which he will promise wages growth and the commencement of a final move towards an Indigenous recognition referendum before 2030. ‘2028 will be a year of decision and delivery,’ Frydenberg will tell an audience of proud new Australian citizens in Melbourne. ‘The time is right to begin the process of holding a referendum on Indigenous recognition in the next term of Parliament. I am confident that such a referendum will be endorsed by the overwhelming majority of Australians.’ He will also commit to positive action on the persistent problem of low wages growth. ‘While wages growth of 2.75% over the past two years has been below budget forecasts, I am confident that the forecasts contained in the 2027-28 MYEFO released in December will prove accurate and Australian workers will be enjoying wage rises of 3% a year in the 2030s.'”