One of the reasons Labor wanted to push the election out is it was hoping that along with inflation coming down, an interest rate cut occurring (with more on the horizon) and the heat coming off the anger at the government over the cost of living – it was also hoping that the reality of Trump’s populist policies would start to become clear and turn people off.

And that gamble appears to have paid off. Dutton has overestimated voters anger at the Albanese government – which is what they based the campaign around – and now that voters are proving not as angry as first thought – and more worried about the populist policies Dutton aligned himself with, the Coalition is at sea.

But that’s still bad for Australia. This isn’t a contest of ideas, or even for the vision of what you want Australia to be. It’s small targets and small safe policies, when we actually need bravery.