Guy Rundle

Guy Rundle: A Voice of Incisive Political Commentary

We begin our exploration of Guy Rundle’s career by tracing his journey from co-founding Arena Magazine to becoming Crikey’s correspondent-at-large. His work, spanning three decades, reflects a deep engagement with Australian politics, media critique, and cultural discourse.

Foundational Years: Shaping Critical Journalism

Rundle’s career took root in the 1990s as a co-editor of Arena Magazine, where he cultivated a reputation for sharp political analysis. During this period, his writing focused on:

• Debates about globalization and its impact on Australian identity
• Early critiques of neoliberal economic policies
• The intersection of popular culture and political movements

"Journalism isn’t just about reporting events—it’s about contextualizing power dynamics within larger historical narratives."

Three Defining Works

"Australia's Right Tried to Copy Trump. It's Been a Disaster"

This 2025 Jacobin piece dissects the Liberal Party’s failed attempt to adopt Trump-style populism. Rundle traces how Peter Dutton’s leadership exacerbated existing fractures within conservative ranks, using electoral data and internal party documents to demonstrate strategic miscalculations. His analysis reveals how imported US political tactics clashed with Australia’s distinct political culture, particularly regarding:

• The role of class rhetoric in Australian conservatism
• Comparative analysis of media ecosystems
• Voter perception studies across regional electorates

"Anthony Albanese Needs to Stand Up to the Right of His Own Party"

In this prescient 2023 analysis, Rundle examines Labor’s internal dynamics through interviews with party insiders and union leaders. He identifies three key pressure points:

1. The climate policy divide between urban progressives and industrial factions
2. Economic sovereignty debates in post-pandemic recovery plans
3. Shifting voter demographics in western Sydney marginals

"China is an authoritarian state..."

Rundle’s 2024 commentary on Pearls and Irritations combines historical analysis with current geopolitical insights. He structures his argument through:

• Comparative study of Chinese and Australian media systems
• Case studies of diaspora community interactions
• Economic dependency analysis of regional trade relationships

Pitching Recommendations

1. Policy Process Over Personality

Rundle prioritizes institutional analysis over individual politician profiles. Successful pitches might examine:
Example: His 2024 series on Senate committee reforms demonstrated how procedural changes affect legislative outcomes.

2. Historical Contextualization

Stories linking current events to Australia’s political evolution resonate strongly.
Example: A 2023 piece traced current housing policies to 1980s financial deregulation.

3. Cultural Policy Intersections

Rundle frequently explores how arts funding and media regulations shape national identity.
Example: His analysis of the ABC’s charter review process incorporated stakeholder interviews and audience data.

Awards and Recognition

2019 Walkley Award for Commentary
Recognized for his Crikey series examining the intersection of climate policy and regional economics. The judging panel noted his "ability to make complex policy debates accessible without oversimplification."