EDITORIAL: Can Easter break resurrect Dutton’s campaign?

No one knows better than Anthony Albanese the difference a few days off to rest and regroup can make during an election.

His 2022 campaign got off to a rocky start, when he flubbed what should have been easy questions on the unemployment and cash rates.

Replayed on constant loop in campaign advertising and news stories, the gaffes could have sunk the then-opposition leader’s election hopes.

But the Easter long weekend brought a temporary truce in campaigning as parties hit pause. A fortuitously timed bout of COVID lengthened Mr Albanese’s time out of the campaign spotlight.

And it was a refreshed, focused and on-message Labor leader who emerged the next week and would go on to win government.

Three years on, the circumstances are different.

This time around, the momentum is with the Prime Minister and it’s Peter Dutton limping towards the weekend and praying for an Easter miracle.

After unexpectedly finding himself in a potentially election-winning position early in the action, the Coalition leader has done his best to throw that lead away. There have been no disasters, but no moments of inspiration either.

His campaign should have plenty to work with. This has been a Government with no shortages of weaknesses to exploit.

But Mr Dutton is failing to cut through to voters adequately with what should be a simple campaign message: that Australians are worse off than they were three years ago.

Having to admit — during a live television debate — that he made a mistake when he wrongly claimed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had announced it would allow Russia to base military aircraft in our giant northern neighbour was a misstep he could ill-afford.

The Easter break — which will be followed next week by another long weekend for Anzac Day — couldn’t come soon enough.

Mr Dutton will hope that he can resurrect his campaign during the pause, like Mr Albanese did in 2022.

There’s no guarantee that’s how the cards will fall.

Last election, Easter came just a week into campaigning. This time, we are already past the halfway mark.

Pre-polling begins on Tuesday, and with up to half of all voters expected to cast their ballots before May 3, every day is critical.

It is possible that even if Mr Dutton does come back energised and ready to take the fight to Labor, he will simply run out of runway.

In the Labor camp, Mr Albanese is looking increasingly confident and comfortable. Tumult abroad has meant some voters have decided they’re better off sticking with what they know.

If he can keep his tendency towards hubris in check, Mr Albanese appears to be cruising towards victory.

But for now, let’s hit pause, at least for a day. We wish all Australians a restful, peaceful and safe Easter.