Peter Dunne: political commentator unpacks Anthony Albanese's sweeping victory in the federal election

A focus on 'Australian values' during geopolitical uncertainty could explain the vast gap between the two parties at Saturday's federal election, according to one expert.

Labor swept to a majority victory - securing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a historic second term. 

It's widely thought US President Donald Trump's volatility has influenced the outcome. 

But political commentator Peter Dunne says Albanese's messages about what Australia wants and needs left an impact. 

"That's the kernel of the truth here - talk about the real things and in that environment, people will opt for the thing they know, the certainty and the stability rather than the fear of the unknown."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Commentators of blaming Donald Trump for the recent election results
in Australia at the weekend. On obviously in Canada as well.
Over the weekend, Ozzie Prime Minister Anthony Albanezi stormed to
a majority victory, apparently because his opponent Peter dusn't reminded
voters of Trump too much. Peter Dunn as a former
United Future leader and with us now, hey Peter, hi,
hell do you reckon? It was the Trump effect?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
I think it was in large part, but I think
there was something else going on in Australia particularly, and
I suspect in Canada as well. Alban Aze he made
a very pertinent point in his victory speech when he
said this was a victory for Australian values. And I
think that's a very sane and sensible comment. You know,
it's a reaction to the Trump stuff, but it's also
about he talked about Australia and what Australian needed and

(00:43):
what Australians wanted, and I think that's a very powerful
message in this uncertain time. It's similar to Luxon's comment
about you know, well, given uncertainty, people go for the
status quo between the two that's the kernel of the
truth here, you know, talk about the real things, and
in that environment, people will opt for the thing they
know that certainly in the stability, rather than the fear

(01:04):
of the unknown.

Speaker 1 (01:06):
So then therefore, would what do you think happens in
twenty twenty six, Let's say we'll find ourselves in the
same situation with Trump and the global uncertainty. Does it
favor the left because the Trump, you know, the right
reminds people too much of Trump? Or does it favor
the current government because they are the incumbents.

Speaker 2 (01:23):
I think it actually comes down to what both do.
On the face of the international experience from Canada and
Australia would say it would favor the incumbent government. But
then because both were left wing governments, you might say, well,
that's a balance the other way. I think it'll come
down to policies, and I think what the message arising
out of all of this, and again going back to
Albanisi's Australian Values monika, that parties that sort of try

(01:48):
and import solutions or promote policies that are out of
step with the national mainstream and not what people are
seeking at the moment. So that's a challenge. You know,
in Australia it's been assumed that was done in the
right and the Trump stuff, but it could equally be
the left. And I'll give you a very specific local
example Tory Fino and Wellington as mayor talk still about

(02:10):
being a transformational mayor that wasn't appreciated. That's the point
when you lose the public, you lose your credibility and
you lose your support and I think that's the real
message here. So for Labor and National it's about their
policies and their policies being credible, and their policies being
in line with what the mainstream of New Zealand voters want,
and then it's a matter of choice from there.

Speaker 1 (02:30):
Peter, it's always good to talk to you. Thank you
appreciate your time. As Peter Dunn, former United Future leader.
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