Economic insecurity matters, but it cannot explain the populist challenge alone. Governments must also address migration, belonging and trust while delivering improvements in housing, services, fairness and democratic integrity.

Australians have legitimate worries about housing, services and living costs, particularly in the outer suburbs, peri-urban areas and regions where Kos Samaras finds One Nation’s appeal strongest.

Bringing inflation back under control is essential but will hurt some of the households already under pressure. Increasing housing supply and productivity will take time, while there is little fiscal room for relief payments.

Economic policy alone will not answer the challenge posed by the radical populist right. People also disagree about immigration, national identity, gender, climate policy and whose views should receive respect. Treating cultural anxiety as disguised poverty fails to hear it. Accepting the populist account of a country under civilisational siege and its narrow view of what it means to be a good Australian would deepen the division we need to repair.

Australia has advantages. Compulsory and preferential voting encourage parties to persuade a broad electorate. Australians also expect government to deliver useful services and distribute burdens fairly. Competent government can regain confidence, but first it must listen without condescension.

Concern about migration’s pace can coexist with respect for migrants. Scanlon’s 2025 research finds that most people who say immigration is too high still regard multiculturalism as good for Australia. Lowy reports that 73 per cent view cultural diversity positively. Yet September’s Guardian Essential poll found that 55 per cent want the annual migrant intake lowered.........

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