No place for complacency about populism in Australia

No Place for Complacency about Populism in Australia

Delivering a sustained return to prosperity that most voters desire is the best way for any major party in Australia to build a broad-based support and keep populism at bay.

The significance of Zohran Mamdani’s unexpected victory in the New York City mayoral election should be viewed with measured perspective. Nonetheless, there are relevant parallels between this latest example of a populist disruptor's success—arising from widespread distrust in the Western political establishment—and the turmoil within the Coalition over climate policy in Canberra.

Mamdani’s Victory and Its Implications

Although polls had predicted Mamdani’s win, the result shocked many. At just 34 years old, the democratic socialist and pro-Palestinian activist will now lead the home of global capitalism and one of the world’s largest Jewish communities outside Israel.

The result was still a shock despite the polls predicting Mamdani’s victory.

This development underscores the power of populist movements fueled by dissatisfaction with traditional political systems.

Parallels with Australian Politics

The Coalition’s internal divisions over climate policies this week highlight vulnerabilities similar to those exploited by populists elsewhere. This instability risks alienating voters who seek clear and pragmatic leadership on pressing issues like the economy and the environment.

Maintaining voters’ trust through effective governance is crucial to preventing populist challenges.

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Summary: Sustained economic prosperity and clear leadership are essential for Australian parties to retain voter trust and counter rising populist movements effectively.

Australian Financial Review — 2025-11-07