Editor’s view: Make your vote count to avoid a minority mess

Don’t take our democracy for granted. Listen carefully to what the parties are offering this campaign and make your voice heard on May 3.

The 2025 federal election will be fought against a background of global uncertainty and domestic unease, with neither Labor nor the Coalition looking at a clear path to victory over the next five weeks.

This contest will be fought inside the campaign itself, not in the considerable groundwork both parties have already undertaken in the past few months to impress a wary electorate.

Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will be campaigning in a political landscape which has become chaotic, both domestically and internationally.

We have a war in Ukraine which is not only costing thousands of lives but causing financial disruption which has seeped into the global economy.

European energy markets have been thrown into disarray which has had a knock-on effect in global financial markets even as sanctions against Russia boosted prices of commodities critical to Australia’s economy including coal and metals.

At home we have a stubborn inflation problem causing heartache among millions of Australian families struggling with the rising cost of living.

Only last week those same families were reminded, via the federal budget, that the longed-for 2-3 per cent inflation target band is still months away.

That means the recent paltry interest rate cut of 0.25 per cent may not be followed up as swiftly as hoped, prolonging the mortgage stress draining household budgets.

Overshadowing all of this is American President Donald Trump whose determination to wage a trade war has already caused a direct hit on global markets, with the ASX alone down around three per cent since January 1.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. (Photo by TRACEY NEARMY / AFP)

On Wednesday, April 2, the Trump administration will reveal whether or not it will slap tariffs on around $30bn worth of Australian exports sold to the United States.

Crucially for Queensland, beef is in the firing line as thousands of grazing families brace for a decision which could have a serious impact on farm revenues.

That could easily flow on to associated industries in our regional centres potentially impacting thousands of jobs.

If Donald Trump does move on Australian tariffs, Mr Albanese could be seen as a weak leader who cannot exploit one of our more enduring and affectionate international relationships well enough to extract an exemption.

Mr Dutton, on the other hand, will not escape accusations he is an ideological fellow traveller of an American president causing global financial chaos.

In years gone by, Queensland was always considered the key battle ground state for federal contests.

While that remains broadly true, there is a perception in some quarters the Coalition has secured a powerful grip on the Sunshine State.

Yet both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton should be warned – do not take us for granted.

Queensland, growing rapidly with at least one thousand residents arriving each week, is an economic powerhouse preparing to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games now just seven years off.

This state represents a confident and increasingly demanding electorate.

That $7.2m to upgrade the Bruce Highway which followed The Courier Mail’s Help Our Highway campaign, and which was backed by both the Coalition and Labor, was welcome.

But Queensland voters will want to see a lot more focus on this state over the next five weeks before they make up their minds.

This country could very well be heading towards a minority government – and the Greens will play a crucial role.

There are three Greens seats in Brisbane that are up for grabs and they could be picked up by either of the major parties.

That’s why Queensland cannot be taken for granted.

This is an election that could come down to just a couple of seats – and they could well be the seats of Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan, currently held by the Greens.

As the Queensland election showed in October, the Greens vote in inner-city Brisbane is potentially not as strong as it was three to four years ago.

A minority government would be the worst outcome for Australia, with the risk of a government beholden by the Greens and so-called “independent” teals.

The best way to avoid this is by paying attention to what each party is offering and to make your vote count.

Australians are fortunate in that we have a high voter participation rate relative to other countries.

As a result of our compulsory voting system, there is consistently a participation rate of well above 90 per cent – compared to 66 per cent in the US.

Don’t take our democracy for granted. Listen carefully to what the parties are offering this campaign and make your voice heard on May 3.

Originally published as Editor’s view: Make your vote count to avoid a minority mess