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This was, according to Hirst, because Australians were still enjoying relatively high living standards compared to nations such as the US, where inflation struck even more sharply, and voters were also blaming international events for local outcomes instead of poor government policy. Additionally, incumbent governments gained political benefit from projecting stability and strength in the face of global uncertainty, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tried to do when confronted with US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats during the election campaign. Hirst encouraged MPs to appear on a wider range of media, including podcasts, radio and other platforms outside their comfort zone. Last term, Albanese and his ministers started to spend more time on social and independent media. Hirst was contacted for comment.
