Week 2: Global Turbulence and Local Messaging Collide
April 10, 2025
As Trump’s Liberation Day sparked global headlines and fears of economic fallout, the Australian campaign entered its second week under the shadow of market instability, tariff threats, and growing talk of a local recession. Cube’s Founder and MD, Anne-Marie Sparrow reflects on the tightrope political leaders are walking between global instability and domestic demands for financial relief:
No surprise with Trump continuing to dominate with Liberation Day and Tariffs heavily preoccupying media and now the knock-on effects – the collapse of the share market and talk of rate cuts and an Australian recession. The US backdrop, which is receiving a firm ‘bipartisan response’, will continue and need careful navigation by all working with news media and the social dynamic!
On the health front Labour stepped out purposefully on Liberation Day to reassert their focus on protecting the PBS. It was a move that fell somewhat short with US Tariffs not being applied to Australian pharmaceuticals – but media still responded to Labour’s call with strong coverage across major outlets! On social media health remains an active discussion notably threats of Medicare funding cuts to support Dutton’s nuclear policy.
The ABC and major news banners continue to dominate the political coverage. Interestingly in reviewing the patterns of media across the parties it suggests the Liberals may have a stronger share of voice on socials, with the Independents now gaining solid traction in news media. Central to all discussions remains cost of living pressure and household budgets– and while state-based support of infrastructure initiatives – Port of Darwin and Melbourne’s Airport Rail Link- secured significant media attention, the Australian public are concerned with suggestions of excessive spending – they want financial relief!
