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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Katharine Murphy

The rise of catchphrase politics: six examples of how policy loses out to soundbites

Prime minister Scott Morrison
Scott Morrison’s ‘super for housing’ plan sounds logical, but in truth, this measure is highly problematic. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Do you ever wonder why Australia is spinning its wheels on some of the biggest policy challenges of our time? There are lots of reasons for this, but key among them is the relentless rise of catchphrase politics.

Policy complexity gets reduced to a soundbite, often for the sole purpose of wedging political opponents. In communications terms, it’s often cut-through, but it’s a triumph of the short term over the long term.

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