After a decade of churn in the highest office in the land, a welcome degree of certainty has returned to Australian federal politics.
This began with Scott Morrison's election to the Liberal leadership and his subsequent term as Prime Minister. During his four years in office, Morrison worked closely with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and maintained a disciplined frontbench. His government navigated unprecedented national crises, including the Black Summer bushfires, widespread floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Morrison government attracted its fair share of criticism during these major emergencies, it ended the era of the revolving-door prime ministership and established a steady new baseline of executive endurance.
The Albanese government, elected in 2022, has maintained this record of stability. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has kept key figures in senior portfolios largely unchanged for over four years. This continuity allows ministers to master their complex briefs and implement long-term policy rather than constantly fighting internal party battles.
Australians love to criticise their politicians. It is an enduring national pastime. Yet, when observing the chaos that frequently engulfs other Western democracies, it is clear they are better served than many.
Elder-statesmen - such as former prime minister John Howard - and others have noted that highly polarising candidates like Donald Trump or Joe Biden would simply not reach the top job in Australia.
The checks and balances embedded within the major Australian political parties prevent it. A leader must have the confidence of their parliamentary colleagues to survive. The system does not tolerate the excesses of a "presidential" government with power tethered to the party room.
Australia is also blessed with a universal and bipartisan respect for the rule of law. The peaceful transfer of power is the bedrock on which stable government depends. The idea of a violent, January 6-style insurrection in Canberra, akin to the events seen in Washington, is unthinkable. The electoral process is independently and professionally managed, trusted by the public, and respected by the political class.
Australia's last decade has been the antithesis of the United Kingdom's experience. That jurisdiction,the home of "the mother of parliaments" and the birthplace of the Westminster system of democracy, is just about to receive its seventh prime Minister since the Brexit referendum prompted David Cameron's resignation after six years in office.
Since then the roll call of UK prime ministers has been as follows: Teresa May (2016-2019); Boris Johnson (2019-2022); Liz Truss (September to October 2022); Rishi Sunak (2022-2024), Keir Starmer (2024-July 2026) and Andy Burnham who moves into Number 8 Downing Street on July 20.
The recent US experience is equally disconcerting. Donald Trump faced impeachment twice during his first term (2016-2020) and will likely be impeached again if he loses control of the Senate (and possibly the lower house) at the mid-terms in November.
And, as was the case with Joe Biden, there are widespread concerns he is in a process of cognitive decline due to his age. So, in short, it is entirely possible that neither of the most recent US presidents have actually been up to the demands of the position.
Democracy requires maintenance, and government performance always leaves room for improvement.
Yes, the public should always demand better from its elected representatives. However, the dysfunction seen overseas provides perspective. The stability Australia enjoys allows governments to function effectively. Sometimes, Australians need to stop and count their many blessings.
