Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison officially launched his conservative Liberal-National Coalition campaign on Sunday, just days before the national election on May 21. In a final push for re-election, Morrison highlighted his government’s economic management and early success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, as he seeks a rare fourth consecutive term for his party.
Trailing behind the centre-left Labour Party in most opinion polls, Morrison faces a tough electoral battle. However, he centered the campaign launch around the message of stability and economic recovery, emphasizing that under his government, Australia has fared better than many other developed nations.
A choice between stability or uncertainty
Speaking to party supporters, Morrison framed the election as a stark choice between a strong economic future and a less certain one under Labour. “The election is a choice between a strong economy or a weaker one that will only make your life harder,” Morrison said. He urged voters to prioritize stability during a period of global uncertainty, referencing ongoing challenges such as rising inflation and geopolitical tensions. “It’s a choice between a stronger future or a more uncertain one in an already terribly uncertain world,” he added.
Morrison’s government is betting that voters will opt for familiarity in light of the natural and political challenges that Australia has faced since the last election in 2019. During his time in office, the country has been hit by disasters ranging from devastating wildfires and floods to a mouse plague and the global COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and economic management
Australia’s initial response to the pandemic was widely praised. Morrison’s administration kept the death toll relatively low through strict lockdowns and border controls in the first two years. However, as new, more transmissible variants of the virus emerged, Australia faced a surge in infections, and by early 2022, the country had one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the world.
Nevertheless, Morrison’s government claims Australia’s economic recovery from the pandemic has been stronger and faster than other major economies such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. A government minister boasted of these achievements during the campaign launch, stating that Morrison’s policies had been essential to the nation’s economic resilience.
Housing and cost of living: Key election issues
One of the key announcements at the campaign launch was Morrison’s promise to allow Australians to dip into their retirement funds to purchase homes. This move is aimed at tackling the skyrocketing cost of housing, which saw prices rise by 24% last year. Morrison hopes this policy will appeal to young and first-time homebuyers.
However, the proposal has faced criticism. Labor’s campaign spokesperson, Jason Clare, condemned the policy, stating that it would only add “fuel to the fire” of an already overheated housing market. The housing affordability crisis and rising inflation have been central concerns for many voters, with Labor promising to tackle these issues with more direct intervention.
Morrison’s popularity problem
Morrison’s personal popularity has taken a hit in recent months, largely due to the delayed vaccine rollout and perceived government mismanagement during key moments of the pandemic. In a sign that he is aware of the public’s concerns, Morrison recently acknowledged his “bulldozer” style of leadership and promised to be more empathetic if re-elected.
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“People know I can be a bit of a bulldozer during tough times,” Morrison admitted, “but that was what was needed during the pandemic.” His critics, however, were quick to seize on this admission. Opposition leader Anthony Albanese responded, saying, “Even Scott Morrison is distancing himself from Scott Morrison.” He called for a change in leadership, arguing that the prime minister had failed to deliver on his promises.
Key electoral battlegrounds: Queensland and Western Australia
As Morrison launched his campaign in Brisbane, the capital of the key battleground state of Queensland, he was reminded of the narrow victory he secured in the 2019 election despite predictions of a Labor win. Queensland is crucial for the Coalition, which holds 23 of the state’s 30 seats. In contrast, Labor, with its ambitious climate policies, holds only six.
In Western Australia, another key state rich in resources, Morrison’s government currently dominates with 11 seats to Labor’s five. Labor launched its campaign there last week, hoping to make inroads with promises of reducing carbon emissions and focusing on climate action.
With less than a week to go, Morrison faces an uphill battle, but he takes comfort in the memory of his unexpected victory in 2019, when the polls were similarly unfavourable. Whether that feat can be repeated remains to be seen as Australians head to the polls on Saturday.
