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The Fin

Election 2025: Why Albo has a spring in his step and Dutton's big bet on defence

Apr 22, 2025
Tom McIlroy, Canberra Bureau Chief at The Australian Financial Review, delves into the dynamics of the upcoming election. He discusses the coalition's bold defense spending plans while addressing the nation's security concerns. McIlroy highlights Labor's rising confidence and the coalition's struggles amid critical polling. He also touches on the effects of American political trends on Australia and the erosion of trust in institutions, providing a thought-provoking look at how these factors shape the political landscape as election day approaches.
31:32

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Early voting is projected to rise significantly, reflecting a shift in voter behavior to avoid last-minute campaigning dilemmas.
  • The coalition's substantial proposed increase in defense spending may struggle to resonate with voters focused on more immediate economic issues.

Deep dives

Early Voting and Voter Behavior

Early voting is projected to rise significantly, with estimates suggesting that up to 50% of Australians may choose to vote early this election. This surge in early and postal voting reflects a trend where voters are making decisions ahead of election day, often to avoid political campaigning in the final days. Although technically a reason is required for early voting, the enforcement of these rules is lax, allowing voters more flexibility. This behavioral shift indicates that while some have solidified their preferences, others may seek to disengage from last-minute political rhetoric.

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