“Progress always has a price. As does being patriotic. But Labor will be hoping that its two-word strategy will mean it can do both, and build a brand that keeps that light on the hill,” writes political columnist ANDREW HUGHES.

One of the more interesting aspects of the federal election was the role international relations played. 

Initially, this was part of a broader Labor reframing and narrative strategy to mitigate any chance of opposition momentum on their natural areas of strength such as immigration, defence and national security. 

However, with Trump’s MAGA strategy unleashed on unsuspecting nations in the form of “unexpected policy variations” (to quote a nice buzzterm from the RBA) Labor took the lead from leaders in other first world nations with centre governments, especially Canada, to rebrand themselves as “progressive patriots”.    

Why? Opinion polling in the Canadian election showed a remarkable turnaround for new PM Mark Carney and his centre-left government that had wholeheartedly embraced this term and stood hard against all Trump was threatening to do.

From looking at a wipeout just weeks before under previous PM Justin Trudeau, they were never headed in the polls and went on to win very comfortably. 

Labor had not just taken notice, they copied. 

The evidence? After elections in Australian politics the victors usually let bravado get the better of them and let slip some interesting points they believe cost their opponents victory. 

For Labor this is less “fair shake of the sauce bottle”, and more “sink the slipper”. Yet it also revealed the brand strategy that Labor is now crafting to implement their objective as being seen as the natural government by voters. 

While the 2022 win was more about getting settled and hanging on, especially against a resurgent Dutton last summer, this win, and nicely integrated to the slogan, is more about brand building. 

So progressive patriotism has become the two-word strategy guiding Labor this term. They will be progressive in policy areas which the Coalition are still arguing over the 1950 or 2010 version of, and patriots in how Australia is seen on the world stage in all areas. 

Clearly the prime minister is really going to enjoy this term. He wants to have more of a presence on the world stage, to be seen to be representing us all as what Malcolm Turnbull called for in his press club address, an Australian-centric prime minister. 

His global trips in his first week reinforced that. Presence. Patriotism. Progressive. 

You could see the confidence of what 94 seats in the lower house does for a leader. Howard had it too in 1996 when he had the same number, albeit in coalition, and he built his presence and networks on the world stage at a time when the centre right was dominating globally. 

But when patriots meet patriots things get very interesting very quickly. The biggest challenge, and the one which will flow on domestically, is meeting the US president. 

The strength of our relationship with the US and its leader will be measured very publicly by one simple metric: is it a scolding in the Oval Office in front of Team America, or will it be a more polite affair in a warm and colourful Rose Garden? 

It’s one to watch as the Americans are already laying down some early markers on the patriotism angle by targeting our defence spending and the Port of Darwin issue.

The reaction from the prime minister revealed just how sensitive this topic is, yet also just how wide of the mark the opposition were compared to the US approach on the topic. Yes, very interesting, very quickly. 

The progressive is more about the domestic for now. Early announcements on climate, energy, the economy, taxation and wages for the low paid all signal Labor ensuring that progress is made on, well, progress.

The defection of Senator Dorinda Cox from the Greens would have been a nice public validation of that early strategy. 

Yet Labor needs to be careful, too, in some of these areas. They have to keep aspiration alive in the voters’ minds lest the Coalition wake up one day to the potential of that term being connected to their brand.  

Cost of living is still the number one issue for so many, and killing aspirational policy offerings, even if like the super tax they are pitched as just targeting the rich, will quickly link regressive and austerity into the brand offering. 

While interest rates being cut is both good and bad. Yes, we get cost-of-living relief, but that also means a slow economy, which is walking a narrow path on a high mountain. 

Labor now will be the government that will have to introduce structural reforms into the economy so large spending, such as the NDIS and AUKUS, doesn’t derail the economy into ongoing deficits funded by debt borrowed on, hopefully, a AAA credit rating.  

That is going to burn significant political capital as none of the changes required, such as a possible GST increase, will be embraced when introduced. 

Progress always has a price. As does being patriotic. But Labor will be hoping that its two-word strategy will mean it can do both, and build a brand that keeps that light on the hill. Powered by solar batteries, of course.