Weekly Impressions - Australia's political culture at a crossroads

The decision by the Coalition government to replace its leader, Tony Abbott, with Malcolm Turnbull dominated developments in Australia in the past week. Many political commentators have discussed the different style in communication that Mr Turnbull will bring to his Prime Ministership. Indeed, Mr Turnbull himself has flagged that the Government will need to do a better job in articulating an economic vision for Australia. Evidente’s view is that four key factors will constrain the new Prime Minister’s ability to execute on that vision: the stark reality of a hostile Senate, Australia’s terms of trade shock associated with China’s slowdown, the country’s wage recession, and the wedge between government revenue and spending. Against this backdrop, the great expectations that Canberra's press gallery and the community have for Mr Turnbull's Prime Ministership are unlikely to be met. (VIEW LINK)