Anthony Albanese’s declaration the election will be called ‘soon’ – and the expectation that soon will be Friday for May 3 – risks looking like a vote of no confidence in Jim Chalmers’ budget and panic at Peter Dutton’s reply.
The Opposition Leader’s answer to Jim Chalmers’ $5-a-week tax cuts for 2026 will grab even more attention than Labor’s budget tax surprise and cost less than half as much.
So far, Labor is on the back foot because its individual tax cut is too small, the total cost is too big and the money simply isn’t there.
Jim Chalmers is convinced the economy is ‘turning the corner’ but the problem is that lurking around that corner is a gang of debt collectors, repo men and Trump tariffs.
While Jim Chalmers has tried to spread the cheer, his irresponsible giveaways threaten longer-term economic success.
Ben Chifley won a reputation as a sound economic manager. While he presided over four budgets in one term, that’s where the comparisons end with Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese.
Peter Dutton’s calm, commonsense opposition to the voice – even as he was being attacked – cemented his relationship with middle Australia, which identified with him and felt the same sneering insults. This week, he faces another huge challenge.
Godwin Grech has blasted ‘insinuations’ from ministers that he had any connection to Peter Dutton’s handling of shares during the GFC.
This week’s rates cut by the Reserve Bank were welcome – but will they be enough to save Anthony Albanese’s government?
There is clear evidence showing the Albanese government is in a worse position than it was almost three years ago – and that voters think the same about their lives and livelihoods. With only nine weeks to go before an election must be called, the PM’s future is at a tipping point.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/dennis-shanahan/page/3