Curtin's Cast Episode 64 - 5 August 2026 - Paul Kelly (The Australian): The Twilight of Exceptionalism

This week on Curtin's Cast, Nick Dyrenfurth and Kos Samaras are joined by one of Australia's foremost political journalists and historians, Paul Kelly, Paul Kelly, Editor-at-Large, The Australian and author of the new book, The Twilight of Exceptionalism: The Liberal and Conservative Era (Melbourne University Publishing).

Has Australia entered a fundamentally new political era? Why has reform become so difficult? What explains the decline of trust in institutions, the fragmentation of politics, and the rise of populism?

The conversation explores:

The end of Australia's "exceptional" political era

Why the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments failed

The future of the Liberal Party, Hansonism and the Teals

Anthony Albanese, Labor and the coming Victorian election

The changing nature of political leadership and journalism

Whether Australian democracy can rediscover its reforming spirit

A wide-ranging discussion on Australia's past, present and future with one of the country's leading political thinkers.

Buy Paul's book here: https://www.mup.com.au/books/the-twilight-of-exceptionalism/9780522882339