Grattan on Friday: Can Albanese regain political altitude for Labor – and himself?

Labor is COPping out as 2027 economic gloom looms

The Albanese government faces a savage voter reckoning but is reluctant to change course. The temptation heading into Christmas will be to offer voters more financial Band-Aids and baubles.

Can Albanese regain political altitude for Labor - and himself?

With real wages stalled until late 2027, the Albanese government struggles to steady its flight, writes Michelle Grattan.

The government is in trouble — does Albanese have the skills to fix it?

As cost-of-living pressures fuel frustration in the Australian electorate, the shine is fading on Anthony Albanese's leadership. Will he be able to resurrect the trust he once had?

Grattan on Friday: Can Albanese regain political altitude for Labor – and himself?

A government in trouble is like an aircraft in a dangerous plunge. It can be pulled out of the dive if its mechanical problems are fixable and the piloting sufficiently skilful. If those conditions are not met, however, the plane will crash land, with who knows what degree of damage. Anthony Albanese and his government have seriously lost altitude. We saw something similar before the 2025 election, and then the captain and crew didn’t just stabi…

Desperately Seeking Anthony Albanese

He backed Trump’s war on Iran, Australians are paying the price. AUKUS faces fresh scrutiny and One Nation has edged ahead of Labor in Newspoll. How can Anthony Albanese claw back political control?