ambit claim
An opening industrial-relations claim deliberately pitched beyond the expected settlement.
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The Slang MusterAustralian words and expressions
Politics and public life
Campaigns, institutions and phrases that escaped into everyday speech.
43 entries · Search and filter this theme →
Ausexit
A proposed Australian 'exit', especially ending constitutional ties with the British monarchy or leaving the United Nations.
Read the note on usagebarbecue stopper
An issue so compelling or contentious that it dominates informal public conversation.
bottom of the harbour
A tax-avoidance/evasion scheme involving stripping a company of assets and tax liabilities.
Read the note on usagebranch stacking
Manipulating political-party membership to influence preselections or internal votes.
Read the note on usageCanberra bashing
Criticism of the Australian Government, its bureaucracy or the national capital.
Canberra bubble
The supposedly insular world of federal politics, media and bureaucracy in Canberra.
Read the note on usagecaptain’s call
A decision made personally by a leader without the usual consultation or collective process.
captain's pick
A unilateral choice made by a political leader without normal consultation.
Read the note on usagecash for comment
Undisclosed paid advocacy or favourable commentary by a broadcaster, especially in the late-1990s Australian radio scandal.
Read the note on usagecensus fail
The widely discussed failure of Australia's online 2016 Census system.
Read the note on usagechardonnay socialist
A disparaging label for an affluent person with left-wing or progressive politics.
Read the note on usageColesworth
A blended name for Coles and Woolworths, usually implying supermarket-duopoly power.
Read the note on usagecooker
A derogatory label for a person regarded as promoting extreme conspiracy theories, especially in anti-vaccine or anti-lockdown protest movements.
Read the note on usagedemocracy manifest
A catchphrase cluster derived from the viral footage of Jack Karlson's 1991 Brisbane arrest.
Read the note on usagedole bludger
A disparaging label for an unemployed person receiving welfare.
Read the note on usagedonkey vote
A ballot marked by numbering candidates straight down the paper without genuine preference.
Read the note on usageDorothy Dixer
A planted or friendly parliamentary question designed to let a minister or politician make a prepared point.
Read the note on usagedrover's dog
A supposedly unbeatable political candidate, from the saying that even a drover's dog could win under favourable conditions.
Read the note on usagefaceless men
Unelected party powerbrokers, especially in the historical Australian Labor political expression.
Read the note on usagefair crack of the whip
A fair opportunity or fair treatment.
Read the note on usagefair go
A reasonable chance, equitable treatment, or an appeal for fairness.
fair suck of the sauce bottle
An appeal for fairness, reasonableness or restraint.
Read the note on usagegreen ban
A union ban imposed to protect environmental, heritage or community interests.
Read the note on usagejumper punch
An illegal punch in Australian rules football disguised or partly obscured by gripping an opponent's jumper.
Read the note on usageKwaussie
A person with both Australian and New Zealand identity, connection or citizenship.
Read the note on usagelight on the hill
The ideals or aspirations of the Australian Labor movement.
Read the note on usagemagic pudding
An apparently inexhaustible source of money, benefits or resources.
Read the note on usagepub test
A claimed measure of ordinary public acceptability.
Read the note on usageput your two bob's worth in
Offer an opinion, often unsolicited.
razor gang
A committee or group tasked with making severe spending cuts.
robodebt
Debt raised through Australia's automated welfare-recovery program.
Read the note on usagerort
A scam, fraud, dishonest scheme or misuse of a system; also to exploit or manipulate improperly.
slip, slop, slap
Wear protective clothing, sunscreen and a hat in the sun.
Read the note on usagespicy cough
A humorous euphemism for COVID-19.
spill
A declaration opening leadership positions.
Read the note on usagesquattocracy
The wealthy pastoral elite.
Read the note on usageteal
A climate-and-integrity-focused independent political candidate or politician.
Read the note on usagetrue believer
A committed loyalist to the Australian Labor cause; more broadly an unwavering supporter.
Read the note on usagetwo bob each way
Hedge between opposing positions or support both sides.
un-Australian
Contrary to ideas or behaviour presented as characteristically Australian.
Read the note on usageute tax
A derogatory label for vehicle fuel-efficiency standards.
Read the note on usageWAxit
Western Australian secession from Australia; a Brexit-style political coinage.
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