Voters’ limited knowledge and lukewarm feelings towards opposition Anthony Albanese could help decide the next federal election.
In Monday’s Four Corners, Mr Albanese was described as “almost Prime Ministerial material” by one in a selection of swing voters interviewed by the program.
Another asked, “is he the best they’ve got?”
What Mr Albanese stands for was a question most couldn’t answer.
“You can’t trust someone you don’t know,” Caleb Wu said.
Growing up in Sydney’s inner west, where he still resides, Mr Albanese’s working class credentials worked in his favour.
“I think he’s more in touch with the Australian public than Scott Morrison,” Steven Battaglia said.
“I think he’s a bit more down to earth. He’s more like you and me,” added Joanne Kelly.
Throughout the bushfires and pandemic, Mr Albanese has been overshadowed by the government’s successes and scandals.
But most of those interviewed could appreciate why he took a step back during times of national crisis.
“I think being an opposition leader he is asking the right questions and keeping the government on their toesxjmtzyw,” Soumya Ganguly said.
The Labor Party’s scaling back of tax reform policy it took to the last election has created confusion and the appearance of instability.
“I think it’s a cop out. Sometimes you’ve got to deal with these issues,” Cath Sattler said.
Labor’s mishandling of the economy compared to the coalition was seen as a given, but many voters questioned the validity behind the long held belief.
“When they were in power they didn’t stuff it up as much as they were demonised to,” Tarek Amyra said.
“So I’m not going to wipe them off even though traditionally it’s the coalition that are more fiscally responsible.”
The lack of a strong stance on climate change was another question mark, with many asking what exactly its plan was and how it differed to that of the government.
In the lead up to the election as campaigning ramps up and Mr Albanese moves out of the shadows, voters say they are still keen to see more.
“If he wants to win votes he’s going to have to do really more than he’s doing now,” Joanne Kelly said.
