I read your recent article “Right wing politics destroys the brain” and prior to becoming the NSW Farmers President many years ago, I would have argued against it. However, after close contact with both State and Federal Governments, I know what you have written is 100% correct.
The mechanics of government is very complex, bound by tight law that does not allow the glib nonsense peddled by populists. Thankfully it is usually fact-based, except when politicians occasionally interfere close to elections.
I recall going to Canberra to argue a position for farmers but found bureaucrats who were very informed and knowledgeable about the subject. To get change I had to know my stuff or I was beaten by the detail. They sometimes become bogged down in that detail, but you don’t beat it with populist vague concepts.
The populist stuff does not even rate a mention in Canberra and Sydney parliament houses.
Like most things in life, the answer lies in the centre, not hard right or left bleating, but reasonable, well-thought-through policy. Most Australians are in the centre and if the Coalition gets its act back together again it will capture the centre and become Government again.
The recent Barnaby Joyce train will lose steam as it is less than 10% of voters who will support it close to an election.
The worry is because all the One Nation preferences do not come back to the Coalition, it will help keep Albanese in power for the next term of Government.
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