PM’s optimism isn’t infectious, but it still makes people sick

September 6, 2026 — 5:00am

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How many doughnut days is it now? Former Victorian premier Dan Andrews could tell the prime minister a story about how quickly treats turn to flab. The premier, who won the dubious honour for his state of world’s longest cumulative months in lockdown during the pandemic, celebrated days with zero new COVID cases by posting triumphant pictures of glazed pastries. A minute on the lips, forever on the hips. The grinning premier left the state groaning under debt incurred in achieving those sweet nothings.

It’s a salutary tale of misplaced positivity from a mate our prime minister used to room with. You can tell a jolly story and sell a jelly bun, you can’t hide the consequences of economically damaging decisions behind spin, debt behind accounting trickery, or dodge accountability forever.

That’s a lesson Prime Minister Anthony Albanese needs to take on board as he pivots towards positivity. Albanese wants to tell an optimistic story about the economy based on how he feels about the policies of his government. At every opportunity, he rattles off his government’s list of achievements. But the prime minister’s optimism isn’t infectious. The overwhelming majority of voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Albanese can tell people his government is setting things right, but they can feel we’re going wrong.

This leaves the prime minister trying to emote with the electorate’s pain, while at the same time implying it’s mistaken. As anyone who’s ever told an irate........

© Brisbane Times