Anthony Albanese and his Social Democrats did it. After almost ten years and a few – rather embarrassing – electoral defeats, they are leading the next Australian government. But three points should give Albo, as the Albanese is called Down Under, food for thought despite the win.
Firstly, the result is above all a defeat for the previous prime minister, the conservative Scott Morrison. His sometimes harsh rhetoric and often clumsy demeanor have put many voters off.
Morrison has been pursuing a sharp confrontational course against China for years. Recently it was even discussed whether Australia would be able to wage a war. Although many citizens in China also see a threat, saber-rattling cannot be the solution.
In addition, there were a few mishaps in recent years that Morrison made. During the worst bush fires in 2019, he vacationed with his family in Hawaii. During a visit to the disaster area a few weeks later, he forced local residents to shake hands by simply clasping their hands in front of the cameras.
During the corona pandemic, he consistently sealed off his country, but for a long time he did not manage to obtain vaccines and increase vaccination rates. Australia was at times behind all other western nations. Morrison publicly apologized for this.
And Morrison explained a lack of compassion for women by saying that men are just less sensitive. There’s nothing you can do about it.
For all that (and more) there was now the receipt.
Second, Australia is slowly learning that politics can also consist of more than two parties. Even before the final result, it was clear that both the Greens and independent candidates could win more seats in Parliament.
Especially in the metropolitan areas on the east coast, the two major parties can no longer be sure of their cause. A normal development from a German perspective, but a political change for Australians. Some politicians even spoke of chaos.
Albanese would be well advised to approach these groups as well and show openness. To believe that their voters would at some point turn back to “the big ones” could end fatally.
Third, Australia must increase its contribution to climate change. That also shows the choice. Polls have long shown that a large proportion of the Australian population thinks their country is doing too little.
Scott Morrison may not be a man-made climate change denier, but he has always acted as if Australia had nothing to do with it. The effects, especially Down Under, are devastating.
After all, 21 percent of those surveyed named the topic of “climate change and environmental protection” as decisive for their choice. On a par with the topic of “economic development” – in which Morrison always presented himself as an expert.
Albanese announced during the election campaign that he wanted to get his country out of the corner of international climate change skeptics. He has the chance now.
