The rise of Political YouTubers: Australia’s YT power players
Did you know that over 1,000,000,000 hours of content are consumed every single day on YouTube? That’s one billion, with a big ol’ capital B.
It might be safe to assume that cat compilations and sports highlights account for an overwhelming majority of this digital consumption. I, myself, am perfectly guilty of maintaining a late-night relationship with UnusualMemes, nodding off in a sea of blue light as I’m provided with the 305th iteration of their mind-numbing meme compilations.
That said, no-nonsense tutorials and polished, short-form documentaries are also abundant across YouTube, and frankly, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single niche that hasn’t found a home on Google’s digital powerhouse (consider it a challenge to find one).
YouTube, as we are all aware, is a fantastic platform for both education and entertainment.
With that said, where does politics fit into the big picture, and who do Australians turn to when confronted with that ever-present screen of thumbnails?
Politics on YouTube
When Australians contemplate their recent political activity on YouTube, it’s likely that America would first spring to mind.
With the advent of long-form video podcasting, it’s difficult to even fathom the number of hours Aussies have spent listening to Donald Trump discuss his vision for America in the lead-up to the 2025 election. He now has over 120 video podcasts available to document his claims (and counting).
As Trump executed a very calculated digital strategy, political commentators like Jon Stewart and Ben Shapiro also took to YouTube to quip from their respective sides of the fence, adding to a wildly polarizing discourse that included American voices, young and old.
Ever heard of Pod Save America, Leeja Miller, or Legal Eagle? If not, then Joe Rogan, Charlie Kirk, or Brett Cooper may be the faces that most frequently show up on your watch time.
All arrived on YouTube with differing backgrounds, experience, and worldviews but have leveraged the power of their respective channels to (very effectively) influence the political leanings of the American public.
Heck, even domestically, broadcaster ABC was busy providing fantastic coverage of the US election via Matt Bevan’s “If You’re Listening” series and their almost 50-minute-long installments of “Planet America.” Great programming that garnered the attention of Americans from afar.
I mention all of this to suggest that the drama of American politics does an outstanding job of dominating the screens of global viewers. But who are the big players domestically? In a world filled with parasocial relationships, who do Australians listen to when it comes to domestic affairs, and (more importantly) who do they trust?
Note: Before we dive in, it’s important to mention that this list is far from comprehensive. I’ll also be excluding traditional news channels. While the likes of ABC, Sky News, 7 News, and SBS do offer regular YouTube insight into the Australian political landscape, their content is often repackaged from their television programming. Let’s crack on!
7 noteworthy YouTubers who focus on Australian politics

Friendlyjordies (@friendlyjordies)
Jordan Shanks-Markovina, known online as Friendlyjordies, is an Australian political commentator, journalist, and comedian. Jordy’s distinct style has been on full display since early 2013 (he’s a seasoned veteran of the YouTube world), and his programming style has clearly influenced many who have followed in his footsteps.
While he offers entertaining and satirical takes on political events and figures, Jordan has also provided the Australian public with serious (and often risky) investigative journalism. Regardless of your political leaning, Jordan’s body of work deserves attention.

The Juice Media (@thejuicemedia)
Known for their “Honest Government Ads” series, The Juice Media produces satirical content that critiques government policies and actions, blending humor with political commentary.
With over 1 million subscribers and 3,000 paid members (via Patreon), their monthly releases may be packaged with humor, but they are undisputedly influential when it comes to Aussie voters.

Punter’s Politics (@punterspolitics)
Debatably the fastest-growing channel in this space (amassing over 330,000 Instagram followers in just one year), Konrad Benjamin is an Australian political commentator who is clearly resonating with a large Aussie audience.
While somewhat similar (stylistically) to Friendlyjordies, Konrad has carved out his own lane by packaging his content to suit the majority of Australians. On a regular basis, Punter’s Politics is (very) effectively simplifying complex political issues for everyday viewers.

The Daily Aus (@thedailyaus)
Not a “YouTuber” in the traditional sense, The Daily Aus is a prolific news and media outlet that are using YouTube to expand upon their sizable Instagram following.
Having largely mastered the art of bite-sized news and short-form storytelling, founders Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski have grown The Daily Aus into a respected youth media outlet that is consistently educating (and commentating) on the happenings of Australian politics.
A recent hard-hitting interview with PM Anthony Albanese is perhaps an indication of TDA’s YouTube intentions, and I suspect they are likely to have success in this space.

Avi Yemini (@ozraeliavi)
Avi Yemini is known for his controversial, on-the-ground reporting and commentary of various political issues within Australia. Undoubtedly confrontational in his style, Avi often refers to himself as “in charge of telling the other side of the story down under.”
Avi joined YouTube with his own channel in 2010, pushing a diverse array of subject matter but seems to have risen to prominence with his takes on the Covid-19 pandemic. Combining outrage culture with hotmic style content, Avi has (for better or worse) tapped into collective outrage and leveraged it for algorithmic reach.

Swollen Pickles (@swollenpickles)
Swollen Pickles provides a largely no-nonsense approach to political commentary, focusing on primarily domestic issues with a simple but effective style.
His channel offers analysis of various political topics, and he can certainly be credited with regularly holding Australian political figures accountable for both their words and actions.

Isaac Butterfield (@IsaacButterfield)
Perhaps more focused on social issues than politics, Isaac has labeled himself as Australia’s most “controversial” comedian and carries that approach (and his 2.2 million YouTube subscribers) into his takes on domestic affairs.
He’s focused largely on a male audience, and whether his opinions and statements are correct or not, he has absolutely nominated himself to push the buttons of Australian society.
The impact of political YouTubers on public opinion
Political influencers play a key role in shaping public perception of policies, candidates, and political events. Their ability to dissect complex topics into digestible content makes politics more accessible to the average person. However, this influence can be both positive and negative.
On one hand, political influencers help educate the public, hold politicians accountable, and amplify underrepresented voices. They often bring attention to important social and political issues that the mainstream media overlook.
On the other hand, the rise of political influencers has also contributed to the spread of misinformation. Some influencers prioritize engagement over accuracy, leading to the dissemination of misleading or biased information. Additionally, the echo chamber that is the YouTube comments section can (and does) reinforce preexisting beliefs, making it harder for audiences to consider opposing viewpoints.
The future of Australian YouTube’s political influence
As YouTube’s content and formats continue to evolve, political commentators will likely play an even larger role in shaping public discourse. Their impact on elections, policy debates, and activism is undeniable now, and will likely grow in the future. The challenge moving forward will be balancing their influence with fact-checking efforts and critical media literacy to ensure that their reach is used for the betterment of Australia.
In a world where social media dictates the political narrative, one thing is certain: political YouTubers are here to stay, and their power and influence will only grow in the years to come.
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