Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used a radio interview in Cairns to launch a broad attack on the Coalition, arguing the Liberal and National parties are losing relevance and failing to present a clear political identity.
Speaking on 4CA Cairns as the city marked its 150th anniversary and the station celebrated 90 years on air, Albanese congratulated the broadcaster and reflected on its long-standing role in the region before turning to federal politics.
When asked about the recent Farrer by-election and the strong showing for One Nation, the Prime Minister said the result reflected deeper instability within the Opposition.
“I wasn’t really that surprised because it’s pretty clear that the traditional Coalition parties, the Liberal Party and the National Party, don’t really stand for anything anymore.”
He argued the Opposition had failed to present voters with a consistent message and instead had been undermined by internal conflict.
Albanese pointed to the removal of former Opposition leader Sussan Ley, describing it as “brutal”, and said internal leadership tensions had weakened the Coalition’s standing.
“Both Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie were out there undermining her from day one,” he said, adding that long-serving local representation remained important in regional areas.
The Prime Minister also claimed One Nation’s rise was being influenced by Coalition strategy, particularly preference decisions.
“When they made a decision to give One Nation preferences they were really saying it’s okay to vote for One Nation.”
Pressed on whether Australian politics was becoming more polarised, Albanese said the political centre remained firmly occupied by Labor.
“There’s only one political party that is in the centre of Australian politics and looking after mainstream issues and that’s the Labor Party.”
He contrasted Labor with what he described as a fragmented Opposition, suggesting the Coalition was increasingly competing with smaller right-wing parties rather than presenting a unified alternative.
“If the Liberal Party just try to be One Nation light, then they shouldn’t be surprised that people will vote for the real thing rather than the lighter version of it.”
Albanese also warned that the idea of a potential three-party conservative arrangement would be unstable, citing tensions between the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation.
He said voters ultimately wanted “stable government” and pointed to continuity within his own ministry as evidence of consistency.
“We’ve had one Prime Minister, one Deputy Prime Minister, one Treasurer, one Foreign Minister… the whole way through for four years.”
He said the government was focused on ensuring younger Australians still had “a fair crack” at entering the property market.
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