It's Teals, not Labor, who now bring hope

February 19, 2025

Labor swept into office on a wave of hope for a fresh start after nine years of Coalition inertia. Those hopes have been dashed by their lack of a sense of purpose or social justice.

Anthony Albanese has not grown into the role of prime minister. He has given no sense of leadership, no impression of a vision for our future. He remains the political operator he has always been. Any sense of worthwhile government has been tarnished forever by legislation passed, in cahoots with the Coalition, in the last parliamentary sitting: muzzling charities once an election has been called, and reform of political donations and election funding designed to embed the two-party system forever. This is the work of grubby political operatives, serving their own interests at the expense of our democracy.

The Teals’ pursuit of integrity in public service, and of major reform in areas like climate, gambling, and taxation, show they have the courage of their convictions. The major parties seek to tarnish the Teals by associating them with more extreme interests; this is just more grubby politics. Teal communities can help revive honest government: it’s their candidates who now give us hope.