Winner takes all as federal election becomes personality contest
Since the Morrison government was re-elected in 2019, Australia has endured on of its toughest periods. Now at the end of a six-week election campaign, Australians will choose between a proven campaigner in the PM and a short-priced favourite in the man who wants his job. May the best man win.
Federal Election
Don't miss out on the headlines from Federal Election. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Since the Morrison government was re-elected in 2019, Australia has endured one of its toughest periods.
The country’s psyche was tested first by terrible bushfires, and recently by record floods. And in between was a killer virus that sparked the world’s worst pandemic in a century – forcing Australia to shut ourselves off from the world.
That closure of course had a catastrophic effect on tourism, and when combined with regular lockdowns sent many businesses to the wall. On a personal level, it tested our mental strength – and at a community level it tested our resilience as about one in 10 of us refused to get vaccinated, creating an “us and them’’ society.
And yet we emerge now from the pandemic with a jobless rate the lowest in 48 years, a housing market that has had a spectacular run, and a remarkable sense that everything is going pretty well again – despite the concerns of a very real war in Europe, and an increasingly muscular China in our own region.
It is little wonder, then, that Prime Minister Scott Morrison kicked off his election campaign yesterday by repeatedly pointing to his mantra that only by voting for his Coalition to be returned to office can you guarantee a “strong economy for a stronger future”. Expect to hear this line many, many times over the next six weeks.
Six weeks! Yep, Mr Morrison has chosen to go long – clearly hoping that the more time Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese spends in the spotlight, the more likely he is to falter. And yet yesterday it was Mr Morrison who was most eager to get out of that spotlight – spending only 11 minutes in front of the camera, but staying strictly on message.
Mr Albanese fronted for 33 minutes, and was less disciplined. Interesting. The Opposition Leader’s main point was to talk up a “better future” under Labor – and to criticise the incumbent for having no vision. But so far Mr Albanese has hardly delivered a vision himself, beyond a generic promise to support Medicare, childcare, aged care and local manufacturing. His strategy has instead been to adopt a small target strategy by agreeing to match pretty well everything the government promises.
Mr Albanese also pledged yesterday a campaign that would be focused on the policy debate rather than personality, but this is a claim the fact-checkers will quickly dispute – seeing as the best way for Labor to win will be to paint this as a contest between Mr Albanese and the unpopular Mr Morrison.
The Coalition will meanwhile focus strongly on their record in office – and on the key measures of economy and security it has been a solid record. Perhaps the most striking fact shared by the Prime Minister as part of his election pitch yesterday was that 48,000 more Australians would have died if Covid had not been contained here before the vaccine was developed.
The Prime Minister will seek to defuse Labor attacks on dysfunction and disunity within his ranks by acknowledging it is “not a perfect government” – but again, this is “a choice between a strong future and an uncertain one”.
Style is one thing. Substance is another and Mr Morrison will focus his attacks on suggestions that Mr Albanese stands for little.
It will be a fascinating month. Mr Albanese is a short-priced favourite with the bookies. But this will be a long campaign, and he will need to endure – and stay on message. Mr Morrison, meanwhile, is a proven campaigner. May the best man win.
HEALTH INQUIRY JUST A WASTE
It would be naive of us to think politicians would refrain from politicising the health system.
But even the most political of ex-politicians would surely blush at the sheer audacity of the latest “inquiry” into Queensland’s health system.
State parliament’s Health and Environment Committee was asked in November by Health Minister Yvette D’Ath to conduct the probe – but told to limit its examinations to only the parts of the health system looked after by the Commonwealth.
And surprise! The inquiry has been unveiled right as the federal election campaign gets under way – and of its 44 recommendations just 14 mention the state government.
The two Opposition MPs on the committee said in their dissenting report: “The state government launched a parliamentary inquiry into everything but Queensland Health. It beggars belief.”
Well, it is hardly surprising. But it sure is audacious. And it’s also a total waste of time and money.
Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at www.couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us
Originally published as Winner takes all as federal election becomes personality contest
Fresh poll paints grim future for Albo
A fresh poll is spelling trouble for Anthony Albanese ahead of next year’s federal election as Australians put the PM on notice.
Prepare for a summer of discontent
The timing of the next federal election is likely to condemn us to an excruciatingly long unofficial campaign, sapping all the fun to Christmas and beyond, writes Patrick Carlyon.