SMH · Rob Harris · Monday 23 March 2026
Rob Harris argues SA Premier Malinauskas has become Australia's most formidable politician by reframing populism around inclusive patriotism, following his landslide state election victory.
The press gallery loves a coronation — it saves them the trouble of covering policy. Malinauskas won a state election against an opposition that couldn't fog a mirror, and suddenly he's reframed populism itself. Inclusive patriotism is a fine phrase, but phrases aren't platforms — Hawke had both, and knew the difference. Call him formidable when he's spent the political capital, not while he's still counting it.