AustraliaABC (Australian Broadcasting…

Patience of Labor MPs is beginning to wear thin as mid-term blues bite

Labor MPs are growing frustrated with Albanese and Treasurer Chalmers as cost-of-living pressures bite harder than previous mid-term troubles, with private grumbling on the rise.

Albanese's MPs have largely kept their complaints private and trusted the PM’s judgement. But political loyalty is easier to maintain when a government is winning.

The Long Sip
What happened

A growing number of Labor MPs are privately voicing frustration with the Albanese government as economic pressures weigh on households and the party's mid-term blues deepen.

The detail

Albanese told caucus this week that Labor's fortunes would improve closer to the next election, repeating a line he used during the party's last mid-term slump.

What it means

Unlike previous controversies, today's financial strain from inflation and rising interest rates is felt directly in households, making it harder for the government to ride out the discontent.

Full story at ABC (Australian Broadcasting…

What readers are saying

kath1950
The piece notes that even though support remains for tackling housing inequity, anxiety over inflation and rising interest rates is at an all-time high. That shift in emphasis from earlier cost of living relief to restraint on spending will make it much harder to sell to voters now.
ToowoombaDougie
What exactly would a clear agenda for the remainder of the term look like in their eyes?
alan80
The own-goal issues like the temporary ATO card fix and capital gains tax changes are what really sting the caucus.
GranDesley
Focusing on self-inflicted headaches like the credit card tax payment issue is a quick way to lose confidence when people are already watching every dollar.
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