What to expect from 2022: The Federal Election

Have you noticed a lot of money being thrown around? More bickering between the parties than usual? A lot of mentions of Jenny Morrison, the woman who could do what ‘empathy coaches’ couldn’t? Well that’s because Australia is heading to the polls, and the race looks set to be tighter than ever. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has become increasingly unpopular over the summer months, coronavirus cases spiralling out of control as the country’s top officials take a “let it rip” approach, resulting in hundreds of deaths, a vaccine booster strollout, dwindling supply of Rapid Antigen Tests and soaring prices, the refusal to subsidise the kits, despite never paying for one himself, pandering to the whims of anti-vax rallys in Victoria, where demonstrator’s called for the execution of the state’s leaders, and most recently, the floods. 

It seems the Prime Minister, who doesn’t hold a hose, is playing with fire.

The election talk really first started in February 2021, when former Liberal Staffer Brittany Higgins rocked Parliament with the allegation she had been sexually assaulted in the very halls of Parliament House in 2019. Mr Morrison made a very public statement, saying it had been his wife Jenny to help him see reason, by approaching the situation as a father, rather than a politician. Usually, when the wives and children of a male politician start being named in the press conferences, it’s a sign to prepare for an election. This is because it helps sell the ‘family man’ image that apparently helps so many get elected to Parliament. 

The election talk really ramped up at the end of 2021, as demonstrators marched through the streets of Melbourne calling for an end to all COVID restrictions, vaccine mandates and the execution of Premier Dan Andrews. Mr Morrison famously said he understood the frustration of people “on both sides” 

Being sympathetic to the “plight” of what would have been only 8 percent of the population at the time is a strange election tactic. 

The events of the past few weeks have seemingly been stacking up against Scott Morrison, with Labor Leader Anthony Albanese now on equal footing with him in newspoll. 

A date for the election hasn’t even been called yet, and already the dialogue around Parliament House has turned nasty, with the Government accusing Labor of having a weak stance on national security – which is going to play a huge role in politics over the coming months, with growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, namely China, and a worsening crisis in Ukraine. 

In the first sitting weeks of the year, senior government officials accused Labor MPs of being bankrolled by China. Who doesn’t love some casual accusations of treason to spice up politics?

So, we’re taking this messy, catty situation between the two parties to the polls in a couple months, and if that’s daunting to you, you’re not alone. But, Interp will be here, breaking down all the political jargon that will be thrown at you, and we’ll even explain the voting system, so stay tuned.