Slightly reassuring article. Argues that Australian voters - rather than reaching for a Trump-like character - are already pushing change by increasingly voting against both major parties.
"We are about to go into the second election in a row in which – if nothing changes – two small-target leaders meet each other. Should either expect their vote to grow significantly?
"In recent weeks, there has been much focus on whether Dutton is our Trump figure. But it is possible this obscures the possibility that, in Australian political terms, our independents and minor parties are the real Trump, allowing voters a way to genuinely challenge the status quo.
"In this context, the rapid rise of the teals is perhaps most interesting. Not because they are anything like Trump in temperament or policy, but because their appeal to Australians depends on not being part of the system. They are a very different proposition from Trump – but then in many ways Australia is a very different place. A more moderate place, in which extremes rarely triumph."
#auspol #USpol https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/trump-and-the-teals-have-a-lot-in-common-20250316-p5ljxw.html