Zoe Daniel
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Speaker, consultant, author, journalist and former Independent federal member for Goldstein
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Articles by Zoe Daniel
I knew one of us could get hurt eventually. I never thought it would be my friend Helen
It was obvious to those of us who work in and around politics, that eventually, someone would get physically hurt. The fact that it's Helen Haines, arguably the best of all of us, not just as a politician but a person, is unbearable. Some of us community indies have T-shirts that say, “What would Helen do?” They were a gift from the member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan, a few years ago. And while it was a bit funny at the time, it's not a joke.
I knew one of us could get hurt eventually. I never thought it would be my friend Helen
People lay flowers outside the office of Helen Haines in Wangaratta, Victoria on Tuesday. The independent MP for Indi remains in a critical condition after what is believed to be a targeted attack near her electorate office. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images It was obvious to those of us who work in and around politics, that eventually, someone would get physically hurt. The fact that it’s Helen Haines, arguably the best of all of us, not just as a politician but a person, is unbearable.
If Trump becomes a lame duck, surely countries like Australia can say what we really think?
In two weeks, Donald Trump faces his moment of truth; transformational midterm elections that will drastically influence the rest of his presidency, for better or for worse. Assuming that he cannot find a way around the constitutional ban on him running for a third time in 2028, he now has a limited time left to make sure he leaves office the most consequential president ever. Again, for better, or worse.
If Trump becomes a lame duck, surely countries like Australia can say what we really think?
‘Trump is all about attention grabbing climaxes that both rate and divert attention from his failures.’ Photograph: Evan Vucci/Reuters In two weeks, Donald Trump faces his moment of truth; transformational midterm elections that will drastically influence the rest of his presidency, for better or for worse.
Australia's wealth gap is growing and so is the anger over it. How do we fix this absolutely hopeless state of affairs?
Who's feeling overwhelmed? Going to the supermarket and petrol station was already stressful. Now interest rates have gone up, with another increase predicted, and Christmas is coming. The cost of insurance is already horrendous. Now the El Niño is looming, making what should be carefree summer holidays an exercise in risk management for many Australians. The tech bros already had too much power.
Australia has done precious little to prepare for the dangers of AI. Where is brilliant leadership when you need it?
There's nothing like a threat of human extinction to focus the mind. The threat of AI to the existence of humanity has long been raised. But with the rapid mainstreaming of artificial intelligence, warnings from three researchers from Anthropic have landed differently, with the prediction that the technology could “kill all humans” in the next decade.
Australian families are losing loved ones to gambling. The industry’s ‘I know nothing’ defence beggars belief
Luke Bateman, former NRL player and reformed problem gambler, centre, told the Senate inquiry he attended a private Gold Coast event hosted by a gambling company at which senior figures took illicit drugs with clients. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Readers of a certain age will recall the Hogan’s Heroes TV series with affection and the implausibility of the Sergeant Schultz defence: “I know nothing.” But that’s pretty much what the multibillion-dollar gambling industry giants would have us believe.
Like Trump, Pauline Hanson plays the media and attacks the media simultaneously. Who's using who?
Zoe Daniel Time to call a spade a spade. One Nation's rise is the media's fault. And Pauline Hanson being misunderstood is also the media's fault. Elements of the media have amplified the rise of One Nation over three decades , with outsized coverage normalising what is now a populist machine. At the same time, Hanson treats the media as her enemy. Can both things be true? The first is a deliberately provocative statement. The second is an observation.
The Community Strong Australia party’s ‘reason over rage’ sounds good to me. Can it appeal to One Nation voters too?
Zali Steggall, the member for Warringah and Allegra Spender, the member for Wentworth announce their new party Community Strong Australia. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP One is a former Olympic skier and family law barrister who operates with a fierce elite athlete mindset underpinned by extraordinary determination and, when it comes to politics, deep conviction. The other is a deep thinker, a former CEO who grew up in a political family, a qualified economist and a genuine and gentle listener.
The Community Strong Australia party’s ‘reason over rage’ sounds good to me. Can it appeal to One Nation voters too?
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We laughed at Trump's run for president and marvel at the rise of Pauline Hanson. Why didn't we see the sleeping threat?
When Donald Trump descended the golden escalator in 2015 to announce that he was running for president of the United States, the world laughed. And when I landed in Washington late that year to lead the ABC's coverage of the election, there was an expectation that Hillary Clinton would walk into the Oval Office.
Forming a party wouldn’t make independents less independent. It would strengthen a centrist bloc
And the second, “When are the independents going to form a party?”, is often followed by “Please form a party!” Neither question has an easy answer, although the first may be clearer cut than the second. Speaking at a writers’ festival recently, I took a straw poll among the audience on the issue. I asked several hundred people in the room to raise their hands if they like the work of the independents in the parliament. About 80% did so.
Jim Chalmers wants to make Australia more fair – but is it enough to stave off the threat from One Nation?
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Jim Chalmers wants to make Australia more fair – but is it enough to stave off the threat from One Nation?
‘Jim Chalmers was able to prosecute his budget confidently, as if he really understood it and believed in it with all of its upsides, downsides and in between. It’s as if Albanese has finally let his treasurer off the leash,’ writes Zoe Daniel. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP While the tabloids have described it as a “madhouse budget”, and the opposition has walked straight into the trap of joining them, Chalmers is being more pragmatic than woke.
The Coalition is nailing its own coffin shut in Farrer. It should have had the courage to put One Nation last
The deputy opposition leader, Jane Hume, and the Liberal candidate for Farrer, Raissa Butkowski, campaign at a pre-polling centre in Albury. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP In 1997, when I was presenting the Country Hour on the ABC, I was sitting in an outside broadcast van at an agricultural field day in Northern Victoria about to interview the then member for Farrer and deputy prime minister, Tim Fischer, and the deputy opposition leader, Gareth Evans.
The coalition is nailing its own coffin shut in Farrer. It should have had the courage to put One Nation last
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Angus Taylor’s bid to reel in One Nation voters reeks of desperation, and tramples over Australian Fair Go values
This dog-whistling, suggesting that people fleeing conflict – particularly from Gaza – pose such risk they should be subjected to Trump-style extreme vetting according to their “group identity” rather than individual circumstances, is deplorable. Back in 2024, I was sitting next to my independent colleague Zali Steggall in parliament when she called the opposition out for “whipping up a sense of fear” and racism over their stance on visas for asylum seekers from Gaza.
In the middle of a fossil fuel crisis, it’s time to shout the clean energy message loud and clear
‘Clean energy, you have an open lane. Take the gap. It’s your Steven Bradbury moment.’ Photograph: Darren England/AAP Dear clean energy industry, this is your moment. Cease your frowning at the roadblocks that have been put in your way. Exit your industry conferences at which you tell each other what you already know. Break the shackles of renewable energy media, where you are preaching to the converted. Stand up. Step out and convince communities, in the mainstream, with an economic argument.
The Iran crisis is hurting Australians' hip pockets and driving inflation. It's time for a windfall fossil fuel tax
Zoe Daniel “Never waste a good crisis.” This was me on Q+A in June 2022 , a few weeks after the federal election and amid the war in Ukraine, which was escalating the cost of energy, triggering a conversation about the cost of living and how to pay for a faster rollout of household solar and renewables.
PM’s pragmatism on Trump’s Iran fury risks Australia following US into Operation Epic Fail
‘The prime minister, probably better than most, understands his invidious position well.’ Photograph: Sarah Wilson/AP For all of our sakes, let’s hope that Donald Trump’s Operation Epic Fury doesn’t turn into Operation Epic Fail. It could still go either way. And although I’ve written here before that hope is not a strategy, the rapid disintegration of the global order means there’s little else to lean on in this moment.
The Liberal party believes Trump-style politics is the way to win back power. But it just won’t work in urban Australia
We’re talking Trump-style nationalism, Farage-style protectionism, One Nation-style populism. Drenched in xenophobia and division, this is the ultimate representation of political selfishness, designed purely to save the skin of the party by fomenting outrage to the broader detriment of our multicultural society. The Coalition did a preference deal with One Nation at the last election and voted with One Nation in the Senate about 80% of the time under both Morrison and Dutton.
The Liberal Party believes Trump-style politics is the way to win back power. But it just won’t work in urban Australia
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Coalition squabbling and Labor tinkering leave us in a dangerous vacuum. One Nation filling it is a nightmare in the making
‘Imagine a Senate where Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce have the balance of power, or a One Nation coalition dictating the policies of both the Liberals and Nationals.’ Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP What did you do when the Earth was burning and democracy was failing? If you’re the federal Coalition of 2026 you squabbled among yourselves and prioritised personal ambition over community and country.
Coalition squabbling and Labor tinkering leave us in a dangerous vacuum. One Nation filling it is a nightmare in the making
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Fighting a rigged political system
This week, the full bench of the High Court heard a challenge to Victoria’s changes to its campaign financing laws, brought by a pair of independent candidates. It is not the only case in the works. For very similar reasons, we are mounting our own challenge to the Albanese government’s new and unfair laws.
Trump’s ‘new normal’ leaves Australia marooned. We can no longer pretend otherwise
‘The global order is built on trust. The United States, under Donald Trump, cannot be trusted,’ writes Zoe Daniel. Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP The French president Emmanuel Macron borrowed some lines from Hugh Grant about bullies at the World Economic Forum in Davos. His target was Donald Trump, who had leaked a conciliatory text message from Macron who, evidently, was trying to get the US president to the table to shore up the rapidly disintegrating global order.
Social media makes many Australian teens feel worse about their bodies. Platforms must take responsibility
Soon after the 2022 election a woman came into my electorate office to tell me about her teenage daughter. She spoke about her family's journey through anorexia, the lack of effective and available medical support and treatment, about her child being held down by security guards for forced refeeding in hospital, the compounding mental health issues for the whole family, the financial and marital pressure as she tried to keep her child alive.
When it comes to alcohol, gambling and domestic violence in Australia, it’s essential we connect the dots
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When it comes to alcohol, gambling and domestic violence in Australia, it’s essential we connect the dots
A member of the public places a rose with shoes during the annual ‘No More Empty Shoes’ vigil to remember victims of domestic and family violence at Martin Place in Sydney. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images “How do we maintain the rage?” Sussan Ley asked in parliament last week. The opposition leader was speaking to a motion introduced by Labor’s Sharon Claydon to end family and domestic violence. Claydon read the list of the 74 Australian women who were murdered in the last year.
The Coalition is spinning a line that climate action is economically bad. How are they getting away with it?
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The Coalition is spinning a lie that climate action is economically bad. How are they getting away with it?
The Loy Yang coal-fired power plant in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. ‘Despite the immense opportunity that renewables offer us, about a third of Australians now want to get rid of net zero because they think it will make life cheaper,’ Zoe Daniel writes. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake for The Guardian During the last parliament I negotiated an amendment to the Climate Change Act to lock in Australia’s carbon emissions target as a floor – not a ceiling.
The Coalition is spinning a lie that climate action is economically bad. How are they getting away with it?
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Australia must put politics aside and pass nature laws that benefit the economy and the environment. We owe it to our kids
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Australia must put politics aside and pass nature laws that benefit the economy and the environment. We owe it to our kids
An orange-bellied parrot nesting in Victoria, Australia. Only 50 are known to still be left in the wild. Photograph: Michael Livingston Victoria’s Healesville Sanctuary is helping to protect and restore the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot which is predicted to be extinct within five years. With only 50 known to be left in the wild, a major breeding program aims to release up to 20 pairs of the migratory birds annually.
Albanese faces the diplomatic test of his political life to attract, and hold, Trump’s attention
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Albanese faces the diplomatic test of his political life to attract, and hold, Trump’s attention
‘Generally, [Donald Trump] is a fan of decisive leadership. The prime minister could do more of that,’ writes Zoe Daniel. Composite: Chip Somodevilla/ AAP Here’s a newsflash for Australians: Donald Trump doesn’t worry about us too much. We are a small fish from down under. And for most of Trump’s supporters we’re probably known either (positively) for Crocodile Dundee or (negatively) for gun control.
Coalition denial makes Labor seem reasonable on climate – but neither is ambitious enough
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Coalition denial makes Labor seem reasonable on climate – but neither is ambitious enough
‘Business certainty and clear Australian policy settings are critical to enable investment in renewable energy.’ Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP Only an ambitious government can reap the economic benefits of the net zero transition for the Australian people, and ambition is in short supply.
The division exposed by the March for Australia was a test for our politicians. They failed it – and put the nation last
In the usual tone-deaf response to social division, the parliament again set the example that’s being followed on the streets – when we disagree, we yell at each other. Because unfortunately, political point-scoring is paramount. The future of the nation comes second. In the Senate, the Greens accused the Coalition of positioning itself to “platform neo-Nazis”. The Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie took the debate straight to Israel and Gaza, saying: “Who supported Australian Jews in your team?
Australia’s women remain an untapped resource in the hunt for productivity
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Australia’s women remain an untapped resource in the hunt for productivity
‘There has been little to no productivity growth in the care sector for two decades. Yet the care economy is the single largest employer in Australia and our fastest growing industry as measured by job growth, by a long way.’ Photograph: Penny Stephens/The Guardian In 2022, at the newly elected Labor government’s jobs and skills summit, economist Danielle Wood put women in the workforce front and centre.
If Albanese is serious about actions not slogans, there is a way Australia can make a difference for Palestinians
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If Albanese is serious about actions not slogans, there is a way Australia can make a difference for Palestinians
Palestinians rush to collect parachuted aid packages in Gaza. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Recognition of a state of Palestine must be more than a performative response to domestic political pressure. It’s long been framed as the reward at the end of a negotiated two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The attack on Australia’s net zero target is reckless and gutless. Voters expect more than ‘intergenerational bastardry’
‘The first sitting of the 48th parliament typified time-wasting point-scoring politics with former Nationals leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack teaming up to push for the repeal of the legislated net zero target.’ Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP It has caused the UN secretary general, António Guterres, to declare: “We are on the cusp of a new era. Fossil fuels are running out of road.
Australia’s current childcare funding model risks failing our most precious people
‘Safe, quality, accessible, affordable care for our children is essential for families, women, children and the economy,’ writes Zoe Daniel, ‘but protecting profit for private providers should not be guiding policy.’ Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP When you attach profit to caring, you create a problem.
ANZAC Day 2025 Events
Honour our veterans and service members this ANZAC Day 2025 across our local community. Find details on dawn services, commemorations, and ways to pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice. Lest we forget. • None Assemble outside Elsternwick Club in Sandham Street at 6:15 AM • Assemble at WWI Memorial at Keith Styles Reserve (near Council Chambers) and proceeds down Mentone Parade to Memorial Park (in front of RSL) for Commemorative Service.
How and where to vote for Zoe Daniel
How to Vote for Zoe: Scroll down to find where to vote for Zoe Daniel during the pre-polling period. Pre-polling opens on Tuesday 22nd April.
Neil Mitchell Asks Why Podcast - Why both political parties are keeping you in the dark
Zoe speaks with Neil Mitchell from the Neil Mitchell Asks Why Podcast. She discusses her journey from award-winning journalist to community independent representing Goldstein, growing disengagement among voters, and the entrenched challenges posed by the major parties. It’s a candid conversation about political independence, democratic reform, and the need to rebuild public trust in leadership. “It’s too much politics and not enough reality.
Politics in the Club: Independence Works – Moorabbin - Zoe Daniel
Join Zoe Daniel MP for a dynamic discussion as she reflects on her time thus far in the Federal Parliament, shares her vision for 2025 and hears from you about the issues you want action on in the year ahead. Since May 2022, Zoe Daniel MP has represented our community as the Independent Federal Member for Goldstein. During her term, she has actively engaged with the community through Politics in the Pub and Club events, addressing the key issues that matter most to Goldstein and beyond.
Politics in the Club: Independence Works
Join Zoe Daniel MP for a dynamic discussion as she reflects on her time thus far in the Federal Parliament, shares her vision for 2025 and hears from you about the issues you want action on in the year ahead. Since May 2022, Zoe Daniel MP has represented our community as the Independent Federal Member for Goldstein. During her term, she has actively engaged with the community through Politics in the Pub and Club events, addressing the key issues that matter most to Goldstein and beyond.
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