Victoria has long been Labor’s progressive citadel,an electoral stronghold across state and federal politics. But the red wall may be crumbling.
Sure,tenderising your opponents with vigorous critiques is satisfying. But as Peter Dutton is finding out,it ultimately makes for empty calories.
Dutton prospered mightily by leading the No case at the Voice referendum. But it’s not the same as an election,where everything is at stake.
To see Albanese and Dutton’s futile performative dance in response to the US tariffs is to be forced into a choice between holding your head in your hands or letting your toes curl.
As prime minister,Albanese has been reluctant to change. For some reason,his colleagues don’t intervene. It’s like the charge of the Light Brigade.
Donald Trump is brazenly upending the world order and threatening mostly America’s friends. Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will need to confront these profound changes.
The Liberal Party has been attempting to soften or just plain humanise Peter Dutton’s public image by showing him as a nice,thoughtful,caring fellow,but the opposition leader’s sharp edges are always close to hand.
The prime minister has finally switched into gear. But with at most four months to go until we vote,there’s a decent chance that he has moved too late.
Shifting and dodging is working for Peter Dutton,even if it foreshadows a Bizarro World election and a dog’s breakfast of policies should the Coalition win.
For a long time,opposition leader was the worst gig in Canberra. But with no policies and polls climbing,and with help from most commercial media outlets,Peter Dutton appears to have cracked the code.