Now is not time for change
THE pandemic has fundamentally changed us all.
And as such, Saturday’s election will be unlike any other in our history.
Beyond the big personalities, behind the campaign hi-jinks, gaffes and gotcha moments, even beyond the billions of dollars pledged in election promises, the ballot largely boils down to two very human motivating emotions – the lure of change versus the comfort of stability.
In our two major parties, we have a representative for each.
In the red corner is Anthony Albanese’s advertisement for something new.
The ALP has campaigned heavily on the current government’s mistakes, highlighting reasons why voters should not vote for Scott Morrison as much as why they should elect the ALP.
It’s a risky strategy that relies heavily on negative emotion and ignores the key point that if you want to inspire Australians to embrace something new, it is important to give them something to inspire them.
While policies surrounding aged care reflect the concerns of many voters, the continued negative focus on the Prime Minister has tried to distract away from the key issues for many surrounding Mr Albanese’s stumbles on key policy details and the ALP’s history of fiscal accountability.
This has been a key platform of Mr Morrison and those in the
blue corner. The Coalition’s campaign has been largely about stability and runs on the board.
With the world in such turmoil, small business still recovering from the crippling effects of the pandemic, cost of living soaring,
interest rates likely to continue to rise, and challenges coming from across the globe, the current government offers voters some comfort in the knowledge that it can manage an economy and a crisis.
There have been plenty of mistakes along the way, but there is no sense of the unknown with Mr Morrison’s government.
Locally, we have been lucky. Major issues such as the future of the Viva refinery and associated jobs and the long-awaited duplication of Barwon Heads Rd will be secure no matter which party forms government tomorrow.
But while locals – particularly in the marginal seat of Corangamite – might be sitting back counting the cash that has been promised to flow their way by both parties, this election is also notable for what is missing.
Lobby groups G21 and the Committee for Geelong have identified a raft of key projects – including the redevelopment of Geelong Gallery, a train station at Avalon Airport and Northern Bay College works, as well as a critically needed policy to manage population growth – that have largely been ignored by the major parties.
Global issues such as climate and the ongoing mental health crisis – repeatedly identified by locals as their top concerns heading into the ballot – have received attention from both parties but lack the depth of commitment many locals require.
The crucial challenge of cost of living rises has seen little more than tinkering around the edges on both sides.
These are the issues to which our federal candidates should be allocating crucial time and funds, rather than cheap vote-buying projects such as sporting grounds, which should be the responsibility of local government.
While we continue to blur the lines within the system and allow local and state government projects to be funded as federal election promises, we let those other governments off the hook for their funding responsibilities.
For the system to work, each level of government needs to play its agreed role.
In terms of leadership, the lack of Anthony Albanese’s presence anywhere near the region for the entire campaign is at best ill considered, and at worst a snub.
Exacerbated by Scott Morrison’s four visits within six weeks, the Opposition Leader’s absence has done little to endear him to locals who are used to being wooed for their votes.
It might seem like a small fry issue in the grand scheme of things, but with so little major policy difference between the parties, it is never a good idea to leave your voters feeling abandoned.
Of course, politics should be far more than a popularity contest.
We are choosing a government to lead the whole country for the next three years, not a dinner guest.
But with the major parties offering few substantial differences on their major policies, in lieu of an inspiring big-picture vision, and without a demonstrated commitment to the local issues identified, it is difficult to advocate for change at the ballot box tomorrow.