Our Prime Minister is not weak

Judging by the number of print ads in our local papers of late, the Liberals seem to be outspending Labor three to one in the campaign to win the seat of Robertson.

But repeating statements without factual evidence doesn’t make a playground taunt true, no matter how often you say it.

Mr Dutton’s tactic of continually sledging Mr Albanese as ‘weak’ on a variety of issues doesn’t mean the Prime Minister is.

To my way of thinking Mr Albanese is simply more careful in his responses to domestic and international developments (than) Mr Dutton (seems) to be.

For example, there are many situations where the Prime Minister and his government cannot openly respond to ‘Great Power’ provocations in our area of the world because to do so may reveal what the government and the Australian Defence Forces already know and to which they are already quietly reacting.

Similarly, given the immigration deficit Australia was suffering from as we emerged from the Covid epidemic (when Mr Dutton’s party was still in power remember) and the lead times required to manage migration adjustments, these inflow fluctuations can’t easily be made to fit within an election cycle.

They can’t be turned off and on at will without significant disruption to our economy.

Who we elect to govern us on May 3 is a serious business and our votes need to be cast in a considered light, not on a whim.

Our voting decisions need to be evidence based.

The current Federal Government is to be commended for its measured approach to the provision of economic relief, wherever it can, to people suffering most from the cost of living crisis.

But it can’t be held to account for the rise in international oil prices which has been the main source of our inflation over the past three years.

Mr Albanese’s Government is also to be commended for the significant repair of Australia’s relationship with our Pacific neighbours.

But it can’t be held to account for the impacts in Australia of recent American government decisions.

Mr Dutton’s political ally in the White House will be responsible for those.

Email, Apr 21
Justin Holmwood, Woy Woy