Trump Governs by ventriloquist dummy

July 22, 2025

While I was disappointed that Albo didn’t cancel the AUKUS/5 ministers Morrison pact in the first weeks of his first team I have to admit that I’ve been impressed with his steady as she goes treatment of all things Trump. If he can keep a lid on any further US instalments, keeps playing the long game, perhaps buys some conventional subs from Japan, or France, or even China, as part of Trumps demands for increased defence spending, he could well out-last Trump or even the (not so) United States. As always with all politicians the polls rule. I’ve no doubt the voters distrust of all things Trump and Australian historical love hate relationship with America and Americans (“overpaid, oversexed and over here") has influenced his decisions. I just hope the polls have the same effect when appointing his next defence minister.