Michelle Grattan writes in The Conversation (10.4.22) about the 2022 federal election, called by PM Scott Morrison for Saturday 21 May, with the Coalition government trailing in the polls and looking to deflect pressure to its opposition counterpart in a six week-long campaign.
‘This election is a contest between a desperate prime minister and an opposition leader who sometimes looks as though he has been promoted beyond his capability.
‘Neither government nor Labor is putting forward an agenda to seize the imagination of Australians as they struggle out from the pall of the pandemic.
‘The Coalition, which enters the campaign well behind in the polls, is pitching centrally on economic management, as well as national security. Labor is casting itself as the “caring” party: “Child Care. Medicare. Aged Care. Because Labor cares”. It portrays the government as “out of ideas and out of time”.
‘This is an election that will be fought on the political low ground, not on the heights of competing ambitious blueprints for the country’s future. It’s a battle between a leader who’s lost the confidence of many of the public and one who has yet to gain it.’
- View from The Hill: an election fought on the political low ground »
- Australians to vote on May 21, with Scott Morrison starting behind in the polls »
- Election 2022: Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese’s path to victory »
- On the eve of the federal election, what do we know about the Morrison government? »
- In an election following years of disasters, Australians need more than campaign trail soundbites »
- As the election campaign begins, what do the polls say, and can we trust them this time? »
- Morrison and Albanese are facing off in the election. This is what the polls have to say – and what to look for next »
- Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese in battle to be prime minister as Australia heads to election »
- View from The Hill: Morrison talks risk, Albanese spruiks opportunity, in opening pitches »
- Women have been at the centre of political debate in the past two years. Will they decide the 2022 election? »
- Settle in for a long grind: this federal election is going to be core, brutal Morrison »
- Morrison is galloping into a race where he is already a furlong behind his patient rival »
- Populism and the federal election: what can we expect from Hanson, Palmer, Lambie and Katter? »
- Playing to strengths: Morrison zeroes in on jobs policy as Labor pledges money for health »
- Albanese tries to ‘shake it off’, as a neon orange Morrison hits the manufacturing floor »
- Election 2022: Focus on gaffes misses the real issues »
- After ordinary campaign week, Albanese zeroes in on disaster response »
- From the cheap seats: How elections go when major parties lose respect »
- Seven tired old tropes politicians trot out in place of a vision for Australia’s future »
- Don’t mention the good old days: Why PM no longer wants to be like hero Howard »
- Morrison needs a little bit of magic and a big stroke of luck – but both are in short supply »
- Times are tough, and may get tougher, so where can Australians find strong political leadership? »
- More women yet to make up their mind, will decide election once they do »
- The Guardian view on the Australian federal election: say no to spin and inaction »
- Election 2022: Why the Morrison government does not deserve another term »
- Election 2022: Labor a better choice than Coalition to form Australia’s next government »
- State of the states: six politics experts take us on a trip around Australia »
- State of the states: six politics experts take us around Australia in the final week of the campaign »
Backs to the wall: Queensland a potential dam buster for Coalition
Dennis Atkins writes in InQld (11.4.22) about the electoral landscape in Queensland as the federal election campaign commences, with the Coalition seeking to hold onto its swag of seats in this state.
‘Dams and elections go together like strawberries and cream or tomato and basil. We’ve already had territory staked out for a big fight over a big dam in Far North Queensland.
‘Now the election is on and we can look at a key battleground state as the campaign’s dam wall.
‘Queensland filled up with Coalition wins in 2019 – finishing with a lopsided 23 out of the 30 seats – and the LNP knows if that electoral dam wall breaks the flood could reach Canberra.
‘Even a big spill over the wall might threaten the mortality of Scott Morrison’s government.
‘This is why the Liberals Nationals Coalition is playing an almost exclusively defensive political game in Queensland. They don’t want to lose any of those 23 seats. They will hunt and fight until the last dog dies – a fitting adoption of a Deep South saying for Australia’s Deep North.’
- Backs to the wall: Qld a potential dam buster for Coalition »
- Federal election preview: Queensland »
- Living on the wedge: why the Coalition faces threats from left and right in Queensland »
- Seats to watch at the federal election in Queensland, where three-way contests and newcomers may hold the key »
- Gold Coast candidates looking to usurp ‘three jewels in the crown’ of the LNP this election »
- Just a jump to the left: Dempsey sheds LNP past to take on ‘Minister for Coal’ »
- Election 2022: WA, Queensland voters deserting Coalition, says RPM survey »
- ‘Albo’ campaigns with queen of Queensland, but lustre still lacking »
- Major parties promise Queensland lion’s share of discretionary grants in bid to woo battleground state »
- Where are the most marginal seats, and who might win them? »
- Morrison’s secret weapon for Qld comes from Taiwan … via Brisbane council »
- How the United Australia Party’s massive campaign budget could influence the federal election »
- It’s so frustrating when an election brings funding to north Queensland after years of neglect »
- AEC to probe One Nation links to Facebook page promoting candidates who oppose vaccine mandates »
- Federal government criticised for ‘pathetic’ Brisbane to Sunshine Coast rail line costings document »
- Palmer launches lofty pitch for share of nation’s disaffected voters »
- No teal: Qld independent hopefuls walking a more well-worn political path »
- How good is Qld – Labor edges ahead as state’s voters return »
- Election 2022: Labor’s Queensland climate change campaign still searching for balance »
- Scott Morrison, the coal convoy and black art of winning Qld voters »
- Queensland Labor’s kingmaker no more »
- Queensland’s Senate ballot includes several high-profile candidates, but it’s unlikely all will secure a spot »
- Pentecostalism and the LNP’s fight for its soul in Queensland’s Darling Downs »
- Could ‘the Christian lobby’ make the second safest LNP seat of Groom not so safe? »
- Welcome to Queensland – where dissenters and political mavericks rule »
- If you think this election will turn on Queensland, think again »
- The federal election questions soon to be resolved in Queensland »
- 2022 Federal election: Queensland seats to watch »