Politics live: Chalmers calls social media a ‘business model for hate’; half of young Australians say US a ‘threat’

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Australia’s immediate neighbours are trusted more than historic allies, according to a new survey AAP reports on, which shows the United States is increasingly considered a “threat”.

Only half of the Australians polled in a YouGov survey, commissioned by the Australia Institute, considered longtime ally the US a “friend”. Meanwhile 42% perceived America as a “threat” (defined as a nation viewed with caution or suspicion).

That climate is no accident. Hate is monetised and weaponised by algorithmic rage-bait. Extremism is incentivised; nuance is penalised. The most available public figures are the most vulnerable.

So tonight is a little reminder of why reason and research matters, why nuance matters, what’s at risk and what’s at stake and why that matters too.