He did not utter the words “now is not the time to turn back” but he echoed the language he used three years ago to present his rival as a threat. The problem was that he did not have a large, frightening Labor tax agenda to make this a major point of drama.
Albanese described himself as a “working-class lad” who grew up as the child of a single mother. He spoke about his background for good reason, given 20 per cent of voters are still undecided about him in the Resolve Political Monitor.
The message from Albanese was that he has always been able to get along with people from workers to union leaders – an effective line when the Prime Minister is being given so many free character assessments by his own side of politics.
Neither leader mentioned the war in Ukraine in his opening remarks to voters even though so many challenges flow from the crisis in Europe and its implications for millions of lives, the global economy and Australian security.
Both were almost entirely focused on domestic issues, apart from Morrison’s mention of the world being less stable than at any time since World War II. This is a modest start to a debate about foreign policy and national security that deserves to be a significant element of the campaign.
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But it may take time for the campaign to reach any intensity. Morrison needs every day of this campaign, given the opinion polls show he starts in a losing position, but he also believes being patient worked for him three years ago.
Morrison said as much to voters in Perth during the last campaign when a Liberal supporter urged him to stop Shorten from becoming prime minister.
“Can you nail the bastard in three weeks?” the voter asked.
“Do any of you remember that show that Andrew Denton used to run, used to have political interviews? It was called Enough Rope,” Morrison replied. “Well, that’s what I think I’ll give him.”
This is the great calculation behind the Coalition campaign: that Albanese cannot last the distance. The Coalition camp is so sure that Morrison is a disciplined campaigner, given his success last time, that it counts on Albanese stumbling once the formal campaign is under way.
This is why so many assume a relentless personal attack on Albanese because it is only rational to think this is the way the Coalition tacticians will try to rattle the Labor leader. It may be all they have left.
Yet Albanese has kept Labor together for three years while deflecting attacks from Morrison and steadily turning the tables on the Coalition. Perhaps that means he will prosper in a slow campaign.
Jacqueline Maley cuts through the noise of the federal election campaign with news, views and expert analysis. Sign up to our Australia Votes 2022 newsletter here.
Underwhelming campaign start as parties follow old election template
Source: Philippines Alive
