We’ve written before about how Canada and Australia are secretly the same country, and the federal election that’s currently wrapping up Down Under supports our case further.
What happened: As you read this, Australia is tallying up the ballots for its federal election. Polls leading into the vote projected incumbent PM and Labor leader Anthony Albanese to hold onto office against Peter Dutton, head of the conservative Liberal-National Coalition.
- The top issues in the election included the housing crisis, inflation, net-zero goals, relations with China, and concerns raised about a cantankerous White House resident.
Big picture: The course of the Australian election was strikingly similar to what happened here in Canada. The ruling centre-left party had been haplessly trailing the opposing conservatives in the polls, hammered by cost-of-living issues and years of uninspiring leadership, only for the tables to turn after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
- Suddenly, U.S. tariffs and dealing with Trump became a major voting issue, giving Albanese a boost and knocking down Dutton, who has drawn Trump comparisons.
Why it matters: We may be witnessing the start of the “Trump effect” on global elections, as voters lean towards parties and candidates that they believe are best equipped to stand up to Trump. The effect could soon be felt in the South Korean and Japanese elections.—QH