Federal Labor needs vision and narrative

September 2, 2026

Increased support for One Nation includes the failure of Federal Labor to articulate a believable vision and narrative – instead of timidity and caution. Federal Labor is supposed to believe in human rights, justice and democracy – except for Indigenous people, refugees and Palestinians and these exceptions expose hypocrisy.

In the UK the right-wing Reform party has stalled because momentarily at least the new Labor prime minister is offering a vision and a narrative. It is doubtful that a changed Albanese, if this were possible, would be believable. The new UK PM understands that warnings about the threat of Reform is insufficient and that there is a need for a believable vision and narrative with practical outcomes.

The last Federal Labor PM who offered vision and narrative was Paul Keating but he did not have enough time to establish its believability. The prognosis for Albanese is not promising. His response to the defeat of the Voice to Parliament Referendum was paralysis and passivity. Why would his response to One Nation be any different – other than empty threats and warnings? This will only drive more voters to One Nation.