Quarterly Essay 100: The Good Fight

What Does Labor Stand For?

The 100th issue of Australia's leading agenda-setting journal of politics, culture and debate

In Quarterly Essay 100, Sean Kelly considers the enigma of the Albanese government. With wide yet shallow support, will it change the country? Does it have big ideas, or is it content just to become "the natural party of government"?
Kelly gives a definitive account of Albanese's political style and asks what lies behind it. In speaking to a fragmented, disengaged electorate, the Prime Minister places a high value on moderation. Often that means ducking fights with entrenched interests. But this runs the risk of embedding an ever more unequal nation, led by a government that can seem gutless.

In this subtle and brilliant essay, Kelly explores whether Labor is still up for the good fight.

©2025 Sean Kelly (P)2025 Audible Australia Pty Ltd

The Time is Now

Our society is becoming less equal both in terms of money and opportunity to live a good life.

Less opportunity for greater numbers of people will fundamentally change our society.

Less people will have the opportunity to own there own home.
This will impact life decisions around family and how our community looks into the future.

Sean Kelly thoughtfully considers whether the Albanese Government is up to meeting this challenge.