The Coalition’s nine-year period in federal power represents a missed opportunity to address conservative issues. Instead, the inner-city wets increased their influence. This mistaken drift to the left failed to protect conservative seats, which fell victim to a Teal takeover. In rural areas, right-wing country supporters abandoned the Nationals and voted for minor parties supporting traditional views.

Peter Dutton’s leadership of the Coalition is finally showing some differentiation from the previous Labor-lite Morrison government, with him initiating a discussion about the n-word; nuclear.

As the OECD country best placed to embrace nuclear power, it is blatantly obvious that Albanese’s recent disparaging comments have opened a point of difference between the major parties.

The significance of this rift in energy thinking has been plainly demonstrated by events in Ukraine; the EU’s pretence of banning fossil fuels has been laid bare as their ‘under-the-counter’ supplies from Russia are cut. In another sleight of hand, international entities have once again classified nuclear as renewable and are planning expanded nuclear programs; even Green-governed Finland is re-considering nuclear power. The climate debate needs to occur as part of this discussion, especially in Australia where nuclear remains taboo.

Education was belatedly addressed by the former Morrison government, but Australia is saddled with a curriculum so ideologically at odds with normality that we are now suffering the consequences of a generation of brain-washing, described by Kevin Donnelly as the Left’s long march through our institutions. The last-gasp changes to the curriculum this year reduced content by 20 per cent, but failed to provide a balanced, usable outcome. Some members of the education union described it as being unteachable. Meanwhile, the ability to read and write continues to deteriorate, and the number leaving school functionally illiterate has increased to an appalling 20 per cent.

School-initiated Climate Change propaganda has distorted perceptions in young adults about the reality of the recent La Niña-induced heavy rain and flooding. Because of Climate Change pressure, the Coalition’s attempts to build new dams were feeble; the only one under construction is the Turnbull Snowy 2.0 hydro dam, which is behind schedule, over budget, and only got the nod because it would store renewable energy. Green activism preventing dam construction elsewhere has caused significant damage. Flooding events, such as occurred in Sydney, could have been mitigated, water saved for households and irrigation, and even more hydro generation established.

Gender issues were put in the too-hard basket by both parties, while activists were allowed to dictate the agenda. The quiet Australians have perhaps revealed their true colours (pardon the pun) by voicing concern about a rainbow illumination for Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. Serious debating of trans-gender inclusion in sports and the treatment process for transgender children, is needed. Not heads in the sand.

Activist bullying has been effective in suppressing free speech. The notorious Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act was due to be amended by the Coalition. Again, this proved too controversial for Morrison to tackle. 18C has resulted in an epidemic of offence taking, all in one direction, with the Human Rights Commission seemingly only interested in policing a particular political view.

The race agenda has also been amply supported by 18C, and is another off-limits area for politicians (Greens excepted). The Black Lives Matter protest took root here without the same destruction and loss of life as America, but with plenty of destroyed statues. Sportsmen were bullied into taking the knee, (only now coming to an end in UK), despite this being something traditionally only done when praying, proposing marriage (I know I am old), or being knighted by the Queen. Distortion of the facts is now commonplace following childhood indoctrination; in Australia, the Stolen Generation, deaths in custody, imprisonment rates, and poor health outcomes, are used as evidence of non-existent systemic racism, with no attempt by the Coalition to correct the facts. 

Further evidence of activist bullying in sport was provided by the Israel Folau saga, and more recently by Christian Rugby League players refusing to wear a rainbow shirt; because they are of the ‘wrong’ religion, they received little support for so-called inclusion of their diverse beliefs. The current attempt to force a Voice on Parliament would give advantage to one ethnic group, racial discrimination by any definition. Sadly, some in the federal government, as well as state governments in Victoria and Western Australia, believe the solution is to move still further to the Left.

The list of failed causes remains unaddressed because of lack of conviction, concern from inner-city MPs about re-election, and a drift to the left, all of which has resulted in a lost election.

Coalition governments are meant to support small government, economic prudence, reduced regulation, and encourage traditional family values.

Had Tony Abbott not been dumped by the ‘progressives’ under left-leaning Turnbull, the party may not have won an election, but would at least have known what it stood for.

Peter Dutton understands what needs to be done.

The wets in his party, both federal and state, need to understand that there is no point pandering to the inner-city elites ‘who know better’. The NSW Deputy Leader Matt Kean, and Victorian Leader Mathew Guy are examples. If ministers like this want to change the views of the party faithful to accommodate theirs, they are in the wrong party. The paradox is that, as left-leaning votes are lost, there are many more to be gained from former Labor voters who still believe in the family and traditional values, and are disenchanted with political correctness. It is time to stand up and be counted.