Australia’s domestic politics, once the subject of international bemusement, are now being deployed as an instrument of soft power.

Under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership, the country has transitioned from frequent leadership change into a period of governing stability — a shift that is increasingly recognised abroad as an opening for deeper diplomatic, economic and cultural engagement.

In the years following 2010, Australia grappled with a revolving door of prime ministers, a chronic instability compared with the multi-year tenures often seen in Germany, France or pre-2016 United States.

Analysts routinely cited this fragmentation as a weakness in Australia’s international standing.

But following Labor’s decisive re-election in 2025, Australia has become a rare western democracy reframing domestic policy coherence as a geopolitical asset.

The election result bolstered the government’s majority and strengthened Albania’s hand in international affairs.

Abetted by the zeitgeist of what the prime minister terms “progressive patriotism” — defined as a blend of social reform, inclusive nationalism and purposeful governance — the Australian model is gaining interest among centre-left parties abroad.

On the global stage, political-to-political dialogues in London, Washington and across Europe reveal keen interest in how Australia has weathered the cost-of-living pressures, inflation and the populist wave without succumbing to the chaos that has now engulfed many democracies.

The government’s diplomatic outreach has emphasised this stability.

Analysts at organisations such as the Lowy Institute suggest that Australia’s expanded parliamentary majority, achieved amid friction in US-China trade and global strategic uncertainty, enhances its influence in alliances such as the Australia-United States-United Kingdom (AUKUS) pact and in expanding export markets.

Parliaments and civil society alike in allied countries are reportedly studying Australia’s governing model and its “mood music” of inclusive governance.

This soft-power projection is matched by economic and trade dividends.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers described Australia as “an island of opportunity and resilience and reliability in a sea of global economic uncertainty and risk”.

The message resonates with business partners seeking stable regulatory environments and predictable leadership.

In practice, political-to-political contacts have opened pathways for Australian firms in sectors such as green infrastructure, technology, and creative industries — leveraging Australia’s domestic strength into international advantage.

Efforts are also underway to extend this advantage into Asia-Pacific and European precincts, where track-II dialogues and bilateral engagements are being tailored to Australia’s recent model of governing.

Importantly, these efforts are not positioned as ideological exports, but rather invitations for collaboration based on shared values and governance practices.

They reflect a shift from purely transactional diplomacy to relationships built on political affinity, strategic coherence and cultural alignment.

The transformation from a domestic political liability to diplomatic asset may not have been inevitable, but it is gaining recognition.

In a world where populist disruption is the new norm, Australia’s steadier course under Anthony Albanese may offer both reassurance and opportunity.

What remains to be seen is whether Australia can turn this soft-power momentum into sustained influence — both regionally and globally — and convert goodwill into tangible strategic and economic outcomes.