Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a stark warning to the current Labor government, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to publicly acknowledge the seismic shifts in global politics under what he describes as the "bully" presidency of Donald Trump. In an exclusive interview, Turnbull emphasised that Australia can no longer afford to pretend that the international order remains unchanged.
A Call for Clear-Eyed Analysis
Turnbull pointed to a recent speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos as a model of the kind of honest assessment required. Carney warned that the US-led global system is experiencing "a rupture, not a transition," and argued that leaders must stop invoking a "rules-based international order" as if it still functions effectively. Instead, Carney described the current reality as "a system of intensifying great power rivalry where the most powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as coercion."
"I thought Mark Carney's speech in Davos was outstanding," Turnbull stated. "And yes, I think the Australian prime minister needs to give a similar speech, which is essentially acknowledging that the world has changed." He expressed concern that the Australian government has yet to provide the same level of "honesty and clear, rigorous analysis of the world as it is" as demonstrated by its Canadian counterpart.
The Need for Strategic Clarity
Turnbull, who served as prime minister from 2015 to 2018, has been a consistent critic of Australia's heavy reliance on the United States, particularly in light of the controversial $368 billion Aukus security pact signed by his successor, Scott Morrison. He argued that Albanese must now explain Australia's strategic positioning, especially as the US under Trump increasingly signals that allies must do more for their own defence.
"Australians can see that the United States under Trump is not the United States we'd grown up to know and respect and work with," Turnbull noted. "They'll be looking to their leader to explain how we deal with that and how we relate to that." He suggested that the post-Australia Day period presents an ideal opportunity for such a comprehensive address, a "tour of the horizon" to set out the nation's foreign policy approach.
Confronting a 'Bully' Presidency
Central to Turnbull's argument is the characterisation of Trump as a "bully" who only engages in genuine negotiation "when there is pushback." He cited the recent example of Trump backing down from threats to acquire Greenland, attributing this shift in part to Carney and other European leaders standing firm against the US president's demands.
"We can't keep on pretending nothing has changed," Turnbull insisted. "And there is a tendency in Canberra to do that." He clarified that he is not advocating for public "sledging" of Trump, but rather for a sober recognition of the altered dynamics that now define US leadership and its implications for Australian interests.
Government Response and Broader Implications
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has acknowledged the significance of Carney's Davos address, describing it as "stunning" and confirming that it has been widely discussed within government circles. Chalmers echoed the sentiment that traditional certainties are breaking down, citing escalating trade tensions, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and volatile market behaviour as evidence of a fragmented global landscape.
"For Australia, and no doubt for Canada, the point that Prime Minister Carney was making is that our interests are best served by cooperation and by managing our differences within international law and international institutions," Chalmers told the ABC. This aligns with Turnbull's call for a recalibrated Australian foreign policy that navigates the new realities of great power competition while upholding multilateral frameworks.
Turnbull's own history with Trump adds weight to his commentary; in 2017, he successfully pressured the Trump administration to honour an Obama-era agreement to resettle refugees detained on Nauru. This experience underscores his understanding of dealing with a US president who responds to firm resistance. As Australia grapples with its place in a world where US leadership is increasingly unpredictable, Turnbull's message is clear: honesty and strategic clarity are no longer optional, but essential for national security and diplomatic effectiveness.
