SIMILAR to weather predictions, election polls have been proven historically wrong following this year’s Federal election, leaving many Melbourne voters shocked. 

Here are three reasons I think the Liberal’s “miracle” came true.

1. Labor isn’t about labour.
In a word – Adani. “We will adhere to the science, the law, we won’t create sovereign risk,” Bill Shorten said countless times prior to the election.
This sends very different messages depending on your background or employment, and realistically didn’t win any votes.
The Labor Party of old is dead, it no longer represents union groups, deeming them hollow in comparison to Coalition mass.
Alike to their party make-up of heavy hitters and humble holders-on, the ALP taking on the ‘Big-End’ of town meant powerful and subtle competition.

2. Murdoch media isn’t about Labor.
The chokehold NewsCorp has on rural Australia, particularly in Queensland, was forward in pushing a conservative agenda.
It played a part in the ALP losing two seats from ’16 in the state and the Coalition gaining two in ’19.
Murdoch media has continued to raise its bias against the ALP, going all the way to attacking Shorten’s mother, which was the final straw and an indicator of its pursuit for many Australians.

3. We don’t know what we want, but we don’t want that.
Labor commitments were some of the most ambitious ever, promising 50 per cent green energy by 2030, killing franking credits, taxing high-earning corporates, increasing wages for low-income earners – these were serious policies.
Leaning to the left, this alienated most people who owned two homes or anyone who wanted a “high-paying” construction job. In other words – half of the country’s “Aussie blokes”.
Morrison’s shy/subtle campaign gambled correctly, that Australians are timid, not ready for a leap into the future.
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating, the ALP’s leader from 1991 to 1996 said: “The biggest issue facing Australia today is a psychological one.” Until Australians can build their identity through creativity and self-reflection we will be slaves to the “Big-End” of town.

As much as Shorten embraced tough questions and open interviews prior to the election, he wasn’t winning many fans.
Whether it was the indirect answers or a perceived lack of humanness, Morrison’s Aussie bloke approach and his smile had a far greater appreciation.

Who would you rather have a beer with?