Labor believes Entsch’s looming retirement, plus controversy surrounding the Liberal’s replacement candidate Jeremy Neale — who apologised this week for social media posts critical of China’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic and “feminists” kicking United States President Donald Trump out of office in 2021 — has created an opening in a state where the party holds just five of 30 seats.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been open about his aggressive strategy to win more seats in Queensland, where Labor currently holds only five out of 30. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Albanese has already put a target on his rival Peter Dutton’s electorate of Dickson in Brisbane — where he made his first campaign stop.

But election campaigns are about psychology as much as strategy, and the clear message Albanese is sending is that he is on the attack.

Trump backlash benefits Albanese

Tuesday night’s leaders’ debate in western Sydney delivered Albanese a second victory, as the audience of ‘undecided voters’ determined he had out-performed Dutton. In truth, the debate offered little beyond the well-rehearsed political lines we have come to expect from both leaders over the course of this term of parliament.

Anthony Albanese was declared the winner of the first leaders’ debate, with 44 of the 100 voters in the room choosing the prime minister. Thirty-five voted for Peter Dutton and 21 were undecided. Credit: Jason Edwards/AAP

But the audience’s line of questioning offered an insight into the main issues on voters’ minds: Trump’s tariffs, the cost of living, housing, energy, education, the war in Gaza and immigration.

“The fact is that there were no cuts,” Dutton said. “The prime minister goes out with this Medi-scare campaign, the education scare campaign … there is just no truth to it.”

In 2025, the Coalition has matched Labor’s health policies, from $8.5 billion for Medicare to cheaper medicines and women’s health. It has its own $500 million mental health policy (while Labor has pledged $1 billion).

In 2025, the Coalition has matched Labor’s health policies, from $8.5 billion for Medicare to cheaper medicines and women’s health. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

‘It’s a vibe’

Apparently, his quip that the Coalition was “delulu with no solulu” (delusional without a solution) had more cut-through than any policy announcement. This is invaluable feedback because this is the first election in which gen Z and millennial voters will outnumber baby boomers.

As the campaign goes on, it’s inevitable Labor’s focus will shift to defending seats where its vote is in trouble — in western Sydney, outer Melbourne, across the Northern Territory and in Perth.

Minority Greens deal ruled out

“There are 25 votes we have in the Senate in order to get legislation through. We’re in that [minority] situation [in the Senate] and have been in that situation for this entire term. We have stuck to our position.”