The Coalition’s lessons from the midterms: ‘We’re losing our identity as a nation’

Résumé détaillé

Division in the Coalition over how to interpret the United States’ midterm results has made clear the Nationals’ influence over policy and direction.

As the Coalition looks for lessons in Donald Trump’s midterms rout, the conclusions being drawn by Nationals leader Matt Canavan are the opposite of those of his more moderate Liberal colleagues.

“The idea that migration is not an issue is just insane,” the Nationals leader tells The Saturday Paper. “People are really worked up about it. Polls show that, discussions you have with people show that, and we’ve announced that we would make the biggest cut to immigration in Australia’s history.”

Despite Republicans losing control of both the House and the Senate, Canavan doesn’t think the problem is culture wars.

“People are sick and tired of having their rights, their powers, control of their own country sold out through massive agreements and priorities that don’t match their everyday needs,” he says.

“We’ve lost our wealth as a country. We’ve lost our competitiveness. We’re losing our jobs. I think we’re losing our identity as a nation through mass migration. Those things are all the things that are driving people’s votes, and certainly the volatility we’re seeing in Australian politics.

“Until Australian politicians listen to the people about what they want, we’re going to continue to have political earthquakes like the one we saw in America, but also what we’re probably likely to see in Victoria in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Canavan’s view highlights tension in the Coalition about how to win back government after its own historic loss at the last election. What remains undecided is how to confront One Nation while still appealing to urban voters, and how much influence the Nationals should have over policy and direction.

“The worst lesson the Coalition could draw from America is to become more like the party that just got thrashed,” a senior Liberal tells The Saturday Paper.

“Being linked to Trump is the biggest risk the Coalition faces. It cost Peter Dutton the last election, and the Coalition should be running a million miles from it.”

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