The cost of living is a pressing issue, but it's time to shift our focus. While the cost-of-living crisis dominates headlines, a deeper shift is reshaping Australian politics. The Liberal Party's struggles and the resurgence of Pauline Hanson's One Nation are more significant than the cost of living. The rise in One Nation support reflects a broader trend of voter disenchantment with the major parties and a shift towards smaller, independent candidates. This trend is particularly threatening to the Liberals, who are struggling to respond to Labor's dominance. Labor's competent governance and focus on the sensible centre have stolen the Liberals' traditional position. The Liberals' policy of keeping the economy rolling and making only unavoidable changes is no longer enough. They need to distinguish themselves from Labor, but their standard opposition tactics are not working. Instead, they risk alienating sensible voters by opposing immigration or climate change. The real divide is not left vs. right, but between the well-educated and the less-well educated. The 'teals' - well-off independent candidates - are part of this shift, and Labor is currently benefiting from this trend. The Liberals and Nationals can try to appeal to those who deny climate change and blame non-white immigrants, but this strategy is not sustainable. The cost of living is a symptom of deeper issues, and it's time to address the underlying causes and broader implications of these political shifts.
