In this final episode before the 2025 federal election, we break down the last chaotic week of the campaign and assesses the likelihood of a Labor victory. With opinion polls suggesting a narrow but consistent edge for Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party, Peter Dutton’s Liberal–National Coalition appears to be headed for defeat after a disastrous, mismanaged campaign.
From the fourth leaders’ debate – where Albanese decisively outperformed Dutton – to the infamous ‘price of eggs’ blunder and ongoing cost of living rhetoric, the political landscape this week has been shaped by desperation, culture war tactics, and media misfires. Dutton’s aggressive campaign tactics, including the use of Exclusive Brethren volunteers at polling booths and avoiding mainstream media scrutiny, only worsened public perception of his leadership. Meanwhile, Albanese has leveraged incumbency, economic competence, and media engagement to strengthen his position.
We also discuss the role of neo-Nazi disruptions at ANZAC Day, the failure of the Liberal Party to land a convincing cost-of-living message, and the absence of Dutton’s image from campaign materials outside his own electorate. With record pre-poll voting, a surge in support for independent candidates and the Australian Greens, and the possibility of a minority government, we analyse how the crossbench could shape the next parliament and whether community independents will expand their influence. Plus, we unpack the final policy costings, petrol price distractions, and whether the opinion poll ghosts of the 2019 election could reappear. With the ABC accused of pro-Liberal bias and Dutton lashing out at “hate media”, we examine how media dynamics have defined the campaign. Ultimately, this is a campaign where competence, preparedness, and public trust have made the difference – and the final result may confirm that Dutton has led the worst opposition campaign in modern political history.
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Song listing:
- ‘Good Stuff’, The B-52s.
- ‘Confessions Of A Window Cleaner’, Ed Kuepper.
- ‘State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)’, Jim James.
- ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, The Who.
- ‘The Last Goodbye’, Odesza.
- ‘Humiliation’, The National.
Music interludes:
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The post The Final Week: Dutton’s collapse, Albanese’s edge and Labor to win appeared first on New Politics.