Dan Jervis-Bardy

Dan Jervis-Bardy is chief political correspondent at Guardian Australia, covering federal politics with an emphasis on how conservative parties, rightwing populist movements and economic policy debates shape who holds power. His reporting tracks the links between internal party struggles, tax and energy policy, and the broader electoral map. He combines gallery reporting, policy-focused news stories and regular audio appearances to explain shifts in Australia’s political landscape in clear, concrete terms.

Coalition tensions and conservative realignment

A central strand of Jervis-Bardy’s work is the internal dynamics of the Liberal and National parties and their relationship with rising rightwing forces such as One Nation.

He has covered the Coalition split in detail, reporting on private criticisms between Liberal and National MPs, policy ultimatums over net zero and nuclear power, and the eventual path back to a reunited frontbench. In recent pieces and podcast appearances he has examined how the breakup and reunion expose deep divisions, bruise party leaders and ultimately strengthen Anthony Albanese’s grip on power. His coverage of One Nation traces the party’s role in a broader realignment on the right, from preference deals backed by figures such as Tony Abbott to questions over whether mainstream conservatives are effectively surrendering ground to Pauline Hanson’s agenda.

He also reports from the field, including work from South Australia exploring whether surging poll numbers for One Nation can translate into seats and what major parties are learning about countering the party’s rise. Across these stories, he focuses less on day-to-day manoeuvres and more on what internal party deals, leadership choices and preference strategies mean for the long-term balance of power on the right.

Economic policy, tax and cost-of-living debates

Jervis-Bardy devotes sustained attention to tax, energy and cost-of-living policy as contested terrain in federal politics.

His coverage of capital gains tax changes and housing policy examines how apparent “backflips” amount to technical tweaks rather than wholesale reversals, and what those choices mean for younger Australians trying to buy a home. He has reported on a manufacturing union’s “working-class agenda” manifesto, highlighting proposals for wealth and inheritance taxes, free education and higher revenue from gas companies as part of a push to reshape Australia’s tax system, and the pressure this places on Labor. Other pieces follow Labor MPs breaking ranks to call for winding back fossil fuel tax concessions and the diesel fuel rebate, drawing out the tensions between climate goals, budget needs and resource industry power.

His work on domestic gas regulation tracks a sweeping review of east coast gas policy, including the prospect of reserving gas for domestic use and the government’s argument that gas remains critical to energy affordability, security and the renewables transition.

Before joining Guardian Australia, his reporting for a major Western Australian outlet covered cost-of-living pressures, industrial relations changes, immigration detention policy, competition crackdowns on tech giants and central bank reforms, giving him a grounding in how national policy settings play out in everyday prices and workplace rules. Across these stories he treats tax and energy policy as political instruments, showing how design details, concessions and new levies feed directly into partisan narratives and election strategies.

Regulation, rights and the role of institutions

Another recurring focus is how laws, standards and public institutions mediate conflicts over rights, racism and technological change. Jervis-Bardy has reported on a new anti-racism standard that will require universities to adopt specific measures, covering evidence from higher education leaders, academics and students at a royal commission into the sector.

He follows parliamentary inquiries that warn democracy is “under assault” from significant third parties, examining proposed laws to police behaviour at polling booths and the trade-off between vibrant campaigning and protecting voters from intimidation. In technology and culture, his work on AI regulation looks at efforts by technology companies to soften copyright rules, balancing the desire to attract data centre investment with the need to protect artists and other creatives. Earlier pieces on social media bans, migration legislation and central bank changes extend this interest in how governments use regulatory tools to respond to public concern while maintaining control over information, borders and the economy.

These stories tend to zoom out from single bills to show the cumulative effect of standards, inquiries and enforcement powers on universities, creative industries and civil society.

Audio analysis, polling and voter sentiment

Jervis-Bardy is a regular voice in Guardian Australia’s audio coverage, where he interprets polling and voter sentiment alongside his reporting.

On the Australian Politics and Guardian Essential podcast series he has discussed how interest rate cuts and shifting poll numbers influence major parties’ campaign strategies and messages on cost of living and tax. He has appeared on the Full Story podcast to analyse episodes such as the Coalition breakup, the prospect of a “teal-tinged” party, and Tony Abbott’s return as Liberal president, explaining how these developments might reshape conservative politics. In another episode he explores whether One Nation might go mainstream in a state election, drawing on conversations with voters and insights from his on-the-ground reporting.

Across these formats he extends his written work, using polling data, interviews and narrative detail to explain how political tactics connect to what voters are hearing and feeling.

Taken together, Jervis-Bardy’s journalism is defined by close attention to the fault lines inside conservative politics, and by a steady focus on the tax, energy and regulatory decisions that turn internal party debates into broader shifts in power and policy.