Where "Pollie" Comes From
Formed from "politician" plus the diminutive "-ie," the same shortening habit seen in many Australian words. Wiktionary records it as an informal Australian term for a politician.
Source: pollie (Wiktionary)
“The pollies are all out kissing babies now that the election has been called.”
“Mum reckons every pollie says the same thing at budget time.”
"Another pollie caught out rorting their travel expenses."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Rarely flattering in tone — usually carries a mild edge of skepticism, as in "typical pollie."
Pollie is the everyday word in news headlines, pub chat and talkback radio for any politician, federal, state or local. It is more casual than "politician" and slightly cheeky, so you will hear it in a joke or a grumble far more often than in a formal speech.
Compare it with "the government" or "the Canberra crowd", which point at an institution. Pollie points at the individual person, which is why it pairs so well with stories about expenses, gaffes and broken promises. Learners can use it safely in conversation with friends, but in an essay or job interview stick with "politician". It is also a handy word to recognise when reading Australian news, where it appears in headlines to keep them short.
See also: Rort (the kind of scandal pollies get accused of), Dorothy Dixer (a parliamentary term), Drover's Dog (another politics phrase).
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