Australia's Opposition Leader Adopts Trump-like Rhetoric Amid Poll Struggles

As Australia gears up for impending elections, opposition leader Peter Dutton is increasingly echoing Donald Trump's rhetoric, focusing on "woke" issues, but his strategies may not resonate as expected with Australian voters.

In the current political landscape of Australia, Peter Dutton, leader of the opposition and the main center-right political party, is effectively channeling a Trump-like strategy as he prepares for elections due by May 17. Recently, Dutton has aggressively criticized what he describes as a “woke brigade” that influences banks, grocery stores, and even pubs to consider environmental concerns and Indigenous rights issues in their operations. He described a growing sense of disenfranchisement among young men, attributing it to diversity initiatives.

Amid pressures on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to tackle post-pandemic inflation and high living costs, Dutton denounces Albanese's focus on what he terms "woke" issues, insinuating the prime minister is failing to address critical economic challenges like inflation, which recently dropped to 3.2 percent. The opposition leader's criticism specifically addresses the cost of housing and living, which continue to weigh heavily on voters.

Dutton's rhetoric appears to be striking a chord; a recent NewsPoll revealed Albanese's approval ratings have plummeted to their lowest since he assumed office, with 57 percent of surveyed Australians disapproving of his handling of issues. This shift suggests that Dutton's messaging is gaining traction among constituents, leading to a narrowing in the approval gap between the two leaders.

As the election season progresses, Dutton’s commitments to an efficient government as well as his attempts to reclaim narratives surrounding the celebration of Australia Day, which some regard as an acknowledgment of colonial oppression, highlight the challenges he faces in appealing to a diverse electorate. Thus, despite mirroring some elements of Trump's approach, Dutton's success will ultimately depend on how well he can navigate the intricacies of Australian political sentiment.