Malcolm in the middle: what can Labor learn from Turnbull’s doomed attempt to govern from the centre? | Peter Lewis
Guardian AU
•Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:00:04 GMT
📰 What Happened
Peter Lewis reflects on Malcolm Turnbull’s struggle to govern a centrist government during the 2016 populist wave. He draws parallels with today’s Labor government facing a similar surge of populism and division. His debut column had focused on Pauline Hanson’s return and the economic anxiety behind anti-immigration sentiment.
🔍 The Backstory
In 2016 Malcolm Turnbull led a minority government after calling a double-dissolution election. The same period saw Pauline Hanson storm back as anti-immigration sentiment and economic insecurity grew, themes that resonate strongly again in 2026.
🎯 Why It Matters
It offers a cautionary tale for any government caught in the middle during turbulent times. Understanding why centre-ground leaders lose the public helps explain today’s unstable politics and what it takes to hold power.
Peter Lewis reflects on Malcolm Turnbull’s struggle to govern a centrist government during the 2016 populist wave. He draws parallels with today’s Labor government facing a similar surge of populism and division. His debut column had focused on Pauline Hanson’s return and the economic anxiety behind anti-immigration sentiment.
In 2016 Malcolm Turnbull led a minority government after calling a double-dissolution election. The same period saw Pauline Hanson storm back as anti-immigration sentiment and economic insecurity grew, themes that resonate strongly again in 2026.
It offers a cautionary tale for any government caught in the middle during turbulent times. Understanding why centre-ground leaders lose the public helps explain today’s unstable politics and what it takes to hold power.