Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s incessant claim that Australia has ‘turned a corner’ is wearing thin. Like a motorist stuck on a roundabout, his government seems to be going in circles, with no clear exit in sight.
In key policy areas, Albo’s turned the corner and run into a group of Pulp Fiction characters. The Gimp has been woken up from his election campaign slumber and has doubled down on Zed (aka green hydrogen).
But Zed’s dead, baby. Zed’s dead.
While this is going on, Albo needs to take a comfort stop, but he’s left his weapon in tomorrow’s kitchen. Butch Coolidge (aka The Treasurer) is about to catch him with his pants down.
Inflation may have eased to 2.4 per cent, interest rates are dipping, and wages are creeping up, but these are the result of government smoke and mirrors funded by taxpayers, not triumphs.
For many Australians, the cost of living remains a relentless squeeze, with essentials out of reach and budget deficits looming like storm clouds for the next decade.
Albanese’s tax cuts and energy rebates are Band-Aids on a wound that demands surgery. Instead, Albo wants to develop an even more progressive tax system rather than increasing the GST.
This is not a corner turned but a detour into a policy cul-de-sac. Business won’t lead in an economic environment that is essentially socialist.
In diplomacy, Albo seems unaware that Marcellus Wallace (aka Reality), has a blow torch and some pliers and is about to get mediaeval on his US Ambassador.
Albo’s in trouble with President Trump.
His inability to secure a face-to-face meeting, critical for our US alliance, is a glaring failure.
Kevin Rudd’s past insults such as calling Trump a ‘village idiot’ and ‘traitor to the West’ have made him persona non grata in Washington. GOP voices are warning that Rudd’s presence could jeopardise our tariff exemptions, yet Albo, ever loyal to his Labor mate, keeps him in place.
This is not leadership but stubbornness, prioritising personal ties over national interest.
Rudd’s zero clout in Trump’s circle leaves Australia circling diplomatically, unable to advance key trade and security talks.
Put simply, Albo’s ‘turned a corner’ metaphor is a myth. He’s stuck on a roundabout and we’re stuck with him. Regrettably, Winston ‘The Wolf’ Wolf is nowhere in sight.
Dr Michael de Percy @FlaneurPolitiq is the Spectator Australia’s Canberra Press Gallery Correspondent. If you would like to support his writing, or read more of Michael, please visit his website.
