Albanese’s Leadership and Broken Promises

Behind the News

Anthony Albanese entered the 2022 election with a vision of an idealistic, collaborative “new politics” that aimed to unify Australians, positioning Labor for an extended period in government. However, even then, some commentators questioned the viability of this vision, and reality has since proven far more challenging.

Today, Labor and the Liberals are neck-and-neck in the polls, with the prospect of a minority government, or worse, for Labor. Prominent figures like Gareth Evans and Bill Kelty, once key players in the Hawke/Keating era, have severely criticized Albanese’s leadership. So, how did it all go wrong?

Much of the blame lies in the unrealistic expectations that formed part of Labor’s 2022 election strategy. Albanese’s “new politics” agenda promised a collaborative approach, bringing together business, labor, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This approach helped counter Scott Morrison’s divisive, populist strategy. But while it worked during the campaign, it has been much harder to deliver in government, as three key failures demonstrate.

1. Industrial Relations and Business Alienation

Albanese’s attempt to channel Bob Hawke’s strategy of uniting business and labor proved flawed. Unlike the Hawke government’s approach, which allowed businesses to offer lower wages while compensating workers with government-funded benefits, Albanese pledged to end wage stagnation and increase wages, especially for low-paid women workers. This move, although addressing deep-seated issues in enterprise bargaining, alienated key business groups. Criticism of Labor’s industrial relations reforms, including multi-employer bargaining and minimum wage increases, has been fierce, and the Liberals have aligned with business in opposition.

2. The Voice Referendum Failure

Labor’s attempt to unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through the Voice referendum ended in failure. Dutton and other populist figures ran a strong campaign, depicting the Voice as an elitist initiative that gave special privileges to Indigenous Australians at the expense of others. This narrative resonated with many voters, and Labor struggled to counter it. After the defeat, Albanese retreated further from his original commitments, abandoning key initiatives like the Makarrata Commission and LGBTQI+ protections, disappointing progressive supporters.

3. International Affairs and Divisive Politics

The Albanese government’s efforts at fostering social cohesion have also been derailed by international events, particularly in the Middle East. Domestically, debate has become polarised, with Labor being attacked by the right for supposedly abandoning Israel, and by the left for being complicit in its alleged atrocities. This inability to maintain a coherent narrative has weakened the government’s position.

Narrative Failure and Leadership Criticism

As Labor’s vision of unity has faltered, so has its ability to craft a compelling narrative. Dutton’s simple and focused attacks have cut through, portraying Labor as weak and distracted by “woke” issues like the Voice, at the expense of tackling the cost-of-living crisis. His claims, while exaggerated, have gained traction.

Meanwhile, Albanese’s government has struggled to defend itself. It has pointed to relief measures like tax cuts, cheaper medicines, and reduced childcare costs. But inflation, high interest rates, and a housing crisis have largely overshadowed these efforts. Labor is also being squeezed between a hostile Coalition and Greens opposition, making it difficult to pass meaningful reforms.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has found it difficult to sell the government’s economic achievements, despite claiming that current spending has been necessary to stave off recession. The Reserve Bank has noted international factors driving inflation, but Labor remains the target of attacks accusing it of fuelling inflation through excessive spending.

Conclusion: The Failure of “New Politics”

Albanese promised a “new politics” that would unite Australians, but instead finds himself mired in divisive, populist battles that resemble the old politics he sought to transcend. Dutton’s portrayal of him as a weak leader, incapable of addressing the nation’s challenges, has stuck. This terrain, far from the idealistic vision Albanese presented, has left Labor struggling to deliver on its promises and maintain its grip on government.