Labor scoring own goals while Coalition distracted by One Nation threat

Australia's Labor government is scoring own goals while the Coalition remains distracted by the threat of One Nation, leaving Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a relatively comfortable position. Despite a parliamentary recess, Albanese has been active, bolstering security pacts with Pacific nations and signing a significant agreement with India. However, the government faces internal pressures and has broken promises, such as touching negative gearing despite prior assurances. Defense Minister Richard Marles' revised AUKUS agreement, which secures Australia three used submarines instead of the initially planned two used and one new, has also agitated some within the Labor caucus, with former minister Ed Husic calling for a review. These issues, along with the Middle East conflict, are expected to dominate Labor's national conference. The OECD warns of further falls in Australians' real wages and the country's worst economic growth outlook in decades, issues that are the primary concern for voters but which the government is struggling to effectively address.