Jeff Kennett: The big lessons Australian government should learn from recent elections

The recent elections in India, France and the UK have revealed big lessons for Australia — there are massive headwinds facing us and we cannot afford to have another minority government.

Three of the world’s biggest democracies have just conducted elections for their national parliaments in recent weeks.

The first was in India where the ruling party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was returned to office, but notably without an absolute majority. Modi had to form government in a coalition with some smaller parties. This result suggests that cost of living pressures played a bit part in how many Indians voted.

The second election concluded last Sunday was in France, where President Emmanuel Macron called an unexpected early election. The move was on the reported premise to keep his centre Renaissance party in office against the trends in Europe where the right and at times extreme right parties were winning elections, not only within countries but also in recent European elections.

Conducted over two weekends the first saw significant gains by Marine Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron called an unexpected early election. Picture: AFP

Then, in the run-off election last Sunday, surprisingly a cluster of left wing parties won a majority of seats, but not enough to govern. There will be much jostling before we know who will form government. Suffice to say it will lead to a weaker France, and harder to govern.

Perhaps the election most Australians will relate to is the British election last week which saw a massive win to the Labor Party led by Sir Keir Starmer.

As is so often the case in politics, after 14 years in office the Conservative Party had become tired, divided and failed to provide the leadership to deal with the changing times, in particular the cost of living pressures people are experiencing.

The Conservatives, having had five leaders in a very short period of time, had earnt the right to lose.

It will be interesting to see how well prepared Starmer and his team are to govern — it will not be an easy task.

Perhaps the election most Australians will relate to is the British election last week which saw a massive win to the Labor Party led by Sir Keir Starmer. Picture: Getty Images

The Labor Party fell into office but with a massive majority and an equally large backbench. Exercising discipline within such a large team will be a big challenge in itself.

One advantage the UK system has over ours is the term of office for the winner of the election is five years.

We do know that the quicker a new government can exercise change after an election, while they retain the public’s confidence, sets their course for the next few years. We will know by year’s end how well prepared the new government is for the responsibilities they have assumed.

The next major election will be in November when the United States votes for president and representatives in both chambers.

I express the views of most Australians when I say I find it hard to comprehend that in a nation of more than 300 million people, the choice for president is between two individuals not suited for the high office they seek.

This is not an ageist comment, for I salute creativity and experience regardless of years lived.

But I am sure Australia would never allow a convicted felon, to be a candidate for the highest elected office. Equally concerning is an individual who increasingly seems to have a deteriorating cognitive issue.

If Trump loses the election, it will that lead to major disruption throughout the United States. Picture: Getty Images

If Trump loses the election, it will lead to major disruption throughout the United States, given he, many times, has refused to say whether he will accept the outcome of the election.

Then follows our Australian election, sometime between October and May next year.

The first lesson to be drawn from the recent elections is that more than ever, it will be fought on the cost of living. It’s the economy, stupid.

Second, in France and the UK calling an early election has shown it is fraught with danger for the government that calls the election.

What I do say clearly, is Australia cannot afford to have another minority government.

There are massive headwinds facing the country, we need a government that can clearly govern, and not be pushed around by smaller parties or independents who have been making outrageous claims knowing they simply can’t be implemented.

Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have been outspoken about the activities of the Greens in supporting civil disturbances here in Australia. Picture: Martin Ollman

Both the PM Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have been outspoken about the activities of the Greens in supporting civil disturbances here in Australia over the events in the Middle East.

To back up their concern, both major parties must put the Greens last on their ballot papers.

Finally, there is a history of individuals being elected to parliaments in the name of the party of their choice, then turning their back on their party when elected.

That invariably has been when their star has peaked, rarely to be heard of again after the next election. I despise disloyalty in all its forms.

Stay well.

Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria