‘Devastating blow’: Trump goes rogue before the world
The immediate task is to stay calm, keep making the trade argument for a concession but take the essential leap to greater defence self-reliance.
The immediate task is to stay calm, keep making the trade argument for a concession but take the essential leap to greater defence self-reliance.
While it’s essential for Australia to reassess our ties with the US, Malcolm Turnbull’s insistence that Albanese and Dutton must now adopt a tougher and aggressive stand towards Trump constitutes a demand that, right now, is pure folly.
This is a contest between a flawed government and a still unconvincing opposition. The risk for Albanese and Dutton is that neither captures the Australian imagination and that both major parties struggle, with their primary vote support suggesting the May 3 election may become a pointer to a more fractured nation and another big crossbench.
Labor has delivered a budget that fails Australia’s needs. It is the budget of a flawed government.
The US President is reinvigorating conservatism but trashing it at the same time. What will be left when he finishes?
Have no doubt, when the Trump-Big Tech coalition threatens Australia, this will transcend a policy dispute; it will penetrate to principles that define our social and democratic values.
Australia confronts an unprecedented task in alliance management under this autocratic US President. Whoever confronts it best may win the next election.
There is no evidence the Liberals have persuaded the public on the need for spending restraint, tax reform, workplace reform or a productivity revival.
Election 2025 looms as one of the most dangerous elections for many decades, as neither leader appears up to the challenge of the new strategic realities faced by Australia.
Donald Trump brings a reality-TV culture and real estate mentality to his rewriting of history and promotion of lies from the President’s office.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/paul-kelly