It is now 2022, and for third year in a row I am recapping the 10 most outrageous moments in Australian federal and state politics of the previous year.
So sit back and relax and enjoy this top 10 list of some of the most insane political moments of 2021.
1) Former Deputy Premier of NSW, John Barilaro, suing political satirist Friendlyjordies for defamation
Friendlyjordies has had a complicated relationship with Liberal politicians his whole career, labelling them glorified property developers who want to sell Australia.
In 2021 Jordies made countless claims that Barilaro was a corrupt politician – labelling him ‘Pork Barilaro’. The two eventually settled out of court, after Barilaro left state politics.
2) John Barilaro leaving his position as Deputy Premier in the midst of a global pandemic
Unrelated to his lawsuit against Jordies, Barilaro decided in October of 2021 to step down from his esteemed position following a wave of infighting and instability within the coalition.
3) Gladys Berejiklian stepping down as Premier of NSW following the announcement of an ICAC investigation regarding her breach of public trust
Gladys Berejiklian has undoubtedly been Australia’s unofficial Prime Minister this entire pandemic, leading the country from her position as Premier of NSW. Nevertheless, her private life and her previous relationship with Daryl Maguire came into question again in 2021 and resulted in Berejiklian resigning and leaving state politics in October.
The Liberal Party, however, has been calling for a run at federal politics for the former Premier.
4) NSW opposition leader Jodi McKay resigning
Resigning seems to be the key theme of 2021 for Australian politics, with McKay deciding to end her run as opposition leader of NSW, claiming that her resignation was to give the Labor party a chance to regroup and heal.
The resignation resulted in the promotion of Chris Minns as the new opposition leader for NSW, which has proven favourable so far for Labor faithfuls.
5) Dominic Perrottet becoming the 46th Premier of NSW
Following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian, Dominic Perrottet emerged like a friend who you lost at a festival and claimed he was there the whole time.
Perrottet’s arrival as the new Premier of NSW has been met with some groans from progressive groups who believe he does not speak for a bulk of NSW on social issues such as LGBTQI+ rights.
6) February seeing the beginning of the coronavirus vaccine rollout.
Following the chaos of 2020, I would have never believed that 2021 would see a viable vaccine enter the Australian health system.
Fast forward to January of 2022, and over 19 million people have become fully vaccinated, making Australia one of the most vaccinated nations on the planet per capita.
7) Greater Sydney entering lockdown for 100 days
June 27 of 2021 was considered D Day for most Sydney siders with the government of NSW moving the finish line a grand total of four times resulting in Sydney siders spending a quarter of 2021 under lockdown rules.
8) The Australian government basically cutting ties with every country following their purchase of Nuclear Submarines
The threat of China going to war with Australia was a relatively quiet news story in 2021, with the public sphere obviously focusing on more immediate matters.
Nevertheless, the purchase of these nuclear submarines which won’t be available until 2040 caused quite a storm across the globe with many countries upset at Australia’s intent to use nuclear submarines.
9) John Barilaro’s daughter, Dominica Barilaro, being fined for COVID-19 breaches
Dominica reportedly travelled from Queanbeyan to Sydney, and then to Canberra and was fined $1000 dollars for COVID-19 breaches.
Barilaro also travelled 120km from his home to his Airbnb to reportedly feed his chickens. He was however not fined.
10) Former PM Kevin Rudd calling for a parliamentary inquiry into Murdoch Media
K-Rudd rose from the ashes like a phoenix in 2021, calling for a royal commission into the Murdoch Press about media diversity in February.
The petition for a royal commission gained traction and resulted in over 500,000 signed signatures and a website crash due to increased traffic flow to the landing page.
2021 proved to be an absolute madhouse for politicians and us as a nation, with a federal election due on or before May of 2022, it is safe to assume that next year’s recap of 2022 will be just as eventful.
See More: 10 Times Australian Politics Had Me Shook In 2020
See More: 10 Times Australian Politics Had Me Shook In 2019