It was an opportune time. Mr Morrison just weathered his worst two weeks as in Parliament as Prime Minister,which came soon after his fraught overseas trip during which French President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Albanese was not about to let him off the hook,describing Mr Morrison as a “Prime Minister whose tank is on empty”.
On the policy front,the Labor leader laid out the key areas that would underpin his election campaign:renewable energy,manufacturing,skills and education,secure work,cheaper child care and stronger Medicare. Compared to the “big agenda” that the former Labor leader,Bill Shorten,wheeled out at the last election,Mr Albanese is clearly hoping a more modest suite of politics will starve the Prime Minister of political ammunition.
As theHerald’s Political editor Peter Hartcher “Labor is convinced that the Morrison government is failing,and has to be seen to be failing,on its own terms.” Mr Albanese’s below-the-radar approach also happens to match his personality. Few would argue that he is walking closely in the footsteps of those former Labor leaders,such as Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke,who managed to force a change in government in no small part through force of personality as well as policy.
Mr Albanese’s approach does carry a good degree of risk. By the time the election is in full swing,many of the recent Coalition missteps will have faded from memory. If the economy does rebound as strongly,it could give Mr Morrison the liferaft he needs.
And for all the challenges COVID-19 has thrown up,every state and territory government that went to an election during the pandemic has come away with a win. Incumbency has proven a powerful political force.
Labor should be under no illusion that it has an enormous fight ahead of it to win back government. During an election campaign,in the daily battle to get a clear and concise message out,there have been few better campaigners in recent years than the Prime Minister. He may have his vulnerabilities,but he seems set to be the first leader to see out a full term on either side of politics since John Howard.
In recent days,Mr Albanese has rolled out his policies on climate change and higher education,traditional strengths for Labor. They have both been received well and are important steps in giving voters a clearer picture of Labor’s priorities. But it is not enough. Mr Albanese has,up to this point,struggled to articulate a broader argument for change.
Australia has managed the twin economic and health crises during the pandemic better than most. The challenges it faces today though are greater than at any time in decades. Tackling the transition to clean energy,the rise of China,skyrocketing house prices and a health system under enormous pressure will require more than just a competent,modest policy response. The nation needs a government with some reform zeal,too.
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