Unlike changes of leader, changes of government are comparatively rare at the Federal level. As has been observed numerous times, Labor has come to office from Opposition only four times since World War II. Transitions are a window into how our system of government is functioning – how key institutions and norms have been shaped or changed by the former government. A new administration provides opportunities to distinguish the idiosyncratic from the systemic; and to identify the larger forces at work within the political system.

We can learn a great deal from the early decisions of a new government – what it changes and what it keeps; what lessons it has drawn from prior experience and from its opponents. And how quickly it can shift from campaigning to governing; something Scott Morrison proved unwilling or unable to do, to his party’s and the nation’s detriment.

Transitions of government offer unrivalled opportunities both for change and to achieve policy goals. Newly-elected leaders enjoy great reserves of authority and goodwill and face fewer constraints at the start of their tenure – particularly when they replace an unpopular regime. Often their ability to exploit these opportunities is constrained by a lack of experience, however, that is less likely to be the case for the Albanese Labor government, whose Cabinet includes seasoned hands, with strong links to government, industry and policy networks both here and internationally, and comparatively recent governing experience. The government is more likely to be constrained by institutional weakness, the need to balance a diverse crossbench and the inevitable threat of unexpected events. The Albanese government is off to a good start, but the hard work lies ahead.

Read the remainder of the article at Enlighten, Griffith University’s thought leadership platform.