Politics Now Leaky Liberals and Optus email blunders
Oct 9, 2025
Charles Croucher, Nine News Political Editor, dives into the chaos of Senate Estimates this week. He discusses the Optus outage, spotlighting a misplaced email that added fuel to the fire. The pressure on Communications Minister Anika Wells escalated as the Opposition zeroed in on her. They also explore the internal strife within the Coalition, particularly Andrew Hastie's surprising backbench shift and the leaks threatening the Liberals' cohesion. Croucher provides insight into the challenges facing the Albanese Government, revealing the complexities of recent political dynamics.
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Optus Failure Plus Governance Gaps
- The core technical blame for the Optus outage lies with Optus, but governance and reporting failures amplified the impact.
- Wrong email addresses and incorrect early figures delayed escalation and triggered ACMA involvement.
Fix Escalation Channels Fast
- Agencies should ensure contact details and escalation channels are current and tested.
- Prompt, accurate reporting prevents late discovery and public fallout, as shown in the Optus case.
Complexity Of Returning ISIS-Affiliated People
- Returning ISIS-affiliated women and children present complex legal and security challenges that aren't solved by deportation.
- The issue requires balancing civil rights, monitoring, and public safety without easy punitive options.