Soft-spoken David Pocock has big ambitions – but first he wants politicians to ‘double down’ on kindness
News Source
•Wed, 21 Oct 2026 07:55:23 GMT
📰 What Happened
ACT senator David Pocock gave his first speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday. He said he is not running for prime minister and is already thinking about life after politics. He wants to build a new 'community political collective' at the next election.
He called question time a 'disgrace' and asked MPs to lift their behaviour, especially after the alleged attack on Helen Haines. He pushed three ideas: a 25 per cent tax on gas exports, a 5 per cent levy on data centres, and stronger rules on lobbyists.
🔍 The Backstory
Pocock is a former Wallabies rugby star who entered the Senate in 2022. He held the balance of power for one term but lost it at the last election. Even with one vote, he has pushed the gas tax into the national debate.
He said two months of gas tax money could pay for 100,000 home care packages. He told the story of a woman in his office who was so poor she ate dog food. He argues governments can raise money instead of only cutting spending.
🎯 Why It Matters
The gas tax idea could pay for welfare, aged care and health. His call for kinder politics also lands right after an MP was seriously hurt.
ACT senator David Pocock gave his first speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday. He said he is not running for prime minister and is already thinking about life after politics. He wants to build a new 'community political collective' at the next election.
He called question time a 'disgrace' and asked MPs to lift their behaviour, especially after the alleged attack on Helen Haines. He pushed three ideas: a 25 per cent tax on gas exports, a 5 per cent levy on data centres, and stronger rules on lobbyists.
Pocock is a former Wallabies rugby star who entered the Senate in 2022. He held the balance of power for one term but lost it at the last election. Even with one vote, he has pushed the gas tax into the national debate.
He said two months of gas tax money could pay for 100,000 home care packages. He told the story of a woman in his office who was so poor she ate dog food. He argues governments can raise money instead of only cutting spending.
The gas tax idea could pay for welfare, aged care and health. His call for kinder politics also lands right after an MP was seriously hurt.