The continuing political crisis

As Australia welcomes its sixth prime ministership in nearly eight years, observers might be forgiven for thinking that we have developed a certain bloodlust when it comes to our political leaders. This week it was Malcolm Turnbull’s turn. His ouster followed mounting discontent with his government’s policies and a run of bad polls.

For many Liberals and conservatives, his removal was an act of self-preservation for the party ahead of a general election. But it also raises questions about the vicious nature of Australian politics.

The reasons for this are manifold. A hostile Senate all too often blocks important legislation. That makes it difficult for governments to govern. The political climate has become increasingly poll driven, which means politics as reported is a question of who is up or down rather than being seen as the site of policy and political debates. The 24/7 news cycle, together with noisy and polarising social media, has fostered the growth of so-called “infotainment” and sensationalism in political news. That makes it very difficult for any prime minister to implement a long-term productivity reform agenda that might kick start a new era of prosperity.

Australia has experienced 27 years of uninterrupted growth, yet all good things come to an end, usually sooner than you expect. Our miracle economy status seems to induce a level of complacency that is very worrying; the euphoria over the long boom is wearing off, to be replaced by sharp-edged realities.

We are now in a phase very different from 1983 to 2007 — the golden era of economic reform — one where the pace of the news cycle is faster, and the media beast has to be constantly fed. In such a volatile political environment, selling market reforms to create more opportunity and prosperity is more difficult than ever. These are dark days for liberals and conservatives.

Tom Switzer is executive director of the Centre for Independent Studies.