It is said that nature abhors a vacuum.

It would appear politics does too, given the sometimes seismic and sometimes silly policy proposals being discussed globally and in Australia.

It's a radical departure from the simpler times when Kevin Rudd mimicked John Howard's stance of fiscal conservatism.

We are now living through times where radical policies are the norm and quite often followed by an equally radical policy reversal.

You have to feel for the fruitlessness of government printers, as budget papers and thick policy documents fail to survive relevance within weeks.

Momentum seems to be the flavour of the 2020s.

In cricket (Bazball), AFL (Hokball) and soccer (Angeball) the defining style of play has been relentlessly chaotic and aggressive, in order to overwhelm and disorientate your opponent.

Some of this determined endeavour has spilled into the political arena, sometimes resulting in policy flip-flops and ensuing market chaos.

Strongman politics appear to have followed suit, with a wave of populist candidates shaking the traditional establishment to its core.

But perhaps some of this urge to act has been more calculated and designed to establish a foothold against a strong-running tide.

Momentum is probably something that Sir Keir Starmer wishes he capitalised on after returning UK Labour to power. Instead, a delay to setting a budget allowed for a big dip in the polls and a reactionary right-wing of the Commons to seize on fears of inflation and immigration.

Momentum would appear to be what Premier Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti are seizing upon by bringing on a budget three months after being re-elected in Western Australia.

Momentum would also be what Future Made in Australia seeks to capitalise on, given the nation's stretched supply chains left us vulnerable to external shocks such as COVID. 

We are not living in quiet times, so any delays in acting can quickly be swamped by the next wave of change.

It would be hard to imagine a more disjointed set of policies rippling from the White House – tariffs, immigration, showerhead pressure – which need to be analysed and responded to before the next flush of Sharpie-endorsed presidential decrees are released.

Governments and organisations that succeed in this environment will need to establish a set of policies and strategies that target long-term outcomes and hold their breath through the shorter-term volatility.

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