Political raggedness: Why both Labor and Angus Taylor are stumbling toward Christmas

October 12, 2026 — 2:00am

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National politics last week had a faint sense of raggedness to it. There are two and a half months until Christmas and what is usually – unless bushfires break out – the long political break. The problems should not be exaggerated – the government is very far from being in serious trouble. Still, unless Labor can find a way of seizing the initiative, it will be wishing those months away.

The most prominent example of this creeping quality of unkemptness was the government’s swift retreat on the ATO’s decision to stop accepting credit cards for the payment of tax. On Friday, Jim Chalmers announced the transition period would be extended until mid-next year.

The most generous interpretation of events is that Labor was responsive. Faced with the consequence of an earlier announcement by the Reserve Bank – banning credit card surcharges – the government listened to concerns and fixed the problem. These are just the usual minor bumps of governing. And, as Chalmers pointed out, this was part of a package of changes – businesses will also save money as banks are forced to cut the fees they charge for credit card usage.

All this is true. But there are two other interpretations worth mentioning. One is that the government should have seen this coming. Remember, too, that while the surcharge ban was technically a Reserve Bank decision, it was something the government argued for in late 2024 – a point the Liberals have........

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