2025 Federal Election. Victorian Liberal Party Rally at Melton Entertainment Park in the seat of Hawke. Opposition leader Peter Dutton. Sunday 27th April 2025. Photo:James Brickwood. SMH NEWS 250427.

What fuelled Dutton’s rise is now derailing his bid to be PM

The Coalition’s campaign has been plagued by mistakes and missteps. But the leader’s looseness has compounded any strategic flaws.

  • Sean Kelly

Latest

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with children during a visit to Cabramatta Public School,in Cabramatta,NSW.

Both sides of politics are focused on one group of voters

The parties are rolling out policies on education,healthcare and housing. But they’re persuading voters that “choices” are more important than “equality”.

  • Sean Kelly
The US alliance will still be a significant net benefit for Australia and therefore remain our most important but my no means exclusive security relationship

Trump can help fix Dutton’s slump,but only if he keeps schtum

Peter Dutton’s had a poor campaign so far. But a less conspicuous Trump,as improbable as that may be,may help the Liberal leader change the election conversation.

  • Sean Kelly

Australians want change,but not if it looks like Donald Trump

What will the world’s reaction against Trump do to the widespread desire for change,and how will it affect the federal election?

  • Sean Kelly
Forty per cent of voters now rank Peter Dutton (left) and the Coalition as best to manage the economy,with only 24 per cent naming Anthony Albanese and Labor.

What the major parties avoid could be as important as what gets their focus

A Dutton government would no doubt be very different from the Albanese government,but the differences being debated are mostly minor.

  • Sean Kelly
Anthony Albanese’s defensive stance contrasts with Peter Dutton’s approach.

The budget will reveal Labor’s level of confidence. Dutton’s already shown us his

If the treasurer surprises on the bold side,it may be a sign of panic for Labor,but the opposition leader seems to be shifting the focus of the Coalition’s campaign.

  • Sean Kelly
Advertisement
Our independents and minor parties are like Trump,allowing voters a way to genuinely challenge the status quo.

Trump and the teals have a lot in common

Donald Trump wants to destroy the system. In some fashion,so do the teals.

  • Sean Kelly
Anthony Albanese’s timeline of events is under intense scrutiny.

Dutton just had his worst two weeks as leader. A later election can only help him

A May election date leaves more time for voters to forget Dutton’s run of unforced errors and for the PM to perhaps make some of his own.

  • Sean Kelly

The trouble with the bubble – for both Albanese and Dutton

The opinion polls remain close but political insiders have little idea what’s happening outside and what will sway voters on election day.

  • Sean Kelly

As the world fills with lies,Australia silences those who make us question

It’s a topsy-turvy moment when we are being told to treat Donald Trump’s words without seriousness but to read art at its most superficial level.

  • Sean Kelly