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Full Story Newsroom edition: could Coalition chaos be good for country voters?
May 22, 2025
Gabrielle Chan, a former rural and regional editor, joins the discussion about the implications of the recent split between the Liberal and National parties in Australia. They explore how this political chaos might actually benefit regional voters. The conversation dives into the urban-rural divide and the necessity for innovative approaches to represent rural interests. Climate change emerges as a critical issue, and they consider the shifting landscape of coalitions and the rise of independent candidates challenging traditional party values.
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Nationals' Power Strategy Insight
- The Nationals historically wrestle with how best to leverage power for rural interests, inside or outside the coalition.
- Splitting from the coalition can serve rural voters better, especially in opposition, by focusing on policy work.
Regional-Urban Divide Overstated
- The regional-urban divide is often politically exaggerated, although some issues like mobile reception differ.
- Many city and country issues overlap, frustrating assumptions of a stark divide.
Rural Identity Shapes Politics
- Rural feelings of being ignored stem from identity rather than actual opinion differences.
- The Liberal Party holds more country seats than the Nationals, showing wider rural influence.