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Federal Election
Senator Simon Birmingham and Labor Senator for South Australia Penny Wong are seen during an election debate at the South Australian Press Club, Adelaide, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (AAP Image/David Mariuz) NO ARCHIVING

Our sway in Canberra may be on the wane

Former prime minister John Howard famously quipped that politics is governed by the iron laws of arithmetic — and a state that’s punched above its weight in the nation’s capital could find its influence slipping when this federal election is run and done.

Analysis
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 8: In this handout image provided by News Corp Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten shake hands at the start of "The Leaders' Debate'' at the National Press Club on May 8, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Liam Kidston/News Corp Australia via Getty Images)

I called the debates wrong — so what?

Does it matter that the outcome of the leadership debates was not as “political expert” Mark Kenny expected? Because, as he notes, John Howard often lost debates but won many terms in office.

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/national/federal-election/analysis/page/16