When Prime Ministers fly to Washington, the images are powerful: handshakes in the Rose Garden, promises of strengthened alliances, and talk of shared democratic values. Australia’s relationship with America is often portrayed as central to our security and prosperity. But back home, many Australians are left wondering whether global diplomacy is being prioritised at the expense of the issues that define their everyday lives: housing, health, and the economy.

Housing: The Broken Dream

Home ownership has long been described as the “Australian dream,” yet for younger generations it is increasingly out of reach. According to CoreLogic data, national house prices rose by more than 30 per cent in just three years, while wage growth barely kept pace with inflation. Rental vacancy rates remain near historic lows, pushing up rents in both capital cities and regional centres.

The government has announced ambitious housing targets, including the Housing Accord’s goal of 1.2 million new homes over five years. But supply bottlenecks, labour shortages, and rising construction costs mean delivery lags well behind demand. For many Australians, the problem isn’t an abstract policy failure—it’s the daily stress of rent hikes, mortgage repayments, or the fear of never being able to buy at all.

Health: A System Under Strain

Medicare remains a point of national pride, yet the cracks are widening. Bulk-billing rates have dropped, particularly outside major cities, meaning more patients are paying out-of-pocket for basic GP visits. Public hospitals face long waitlists, and emergency departments are stretched beyond capacity.

Mental health services—already underfunded—are struggling to meet rising demand, especially among young Australians. Private health insurance, meanwhile, has become less affordable, leaving many families squeezed between declining public access and rising private costs.

The Economy: Squeezed on All Sides

International partnerships may help Australia secure trade deals and attract investment, but for households and small businesses, the real concern is the cost of living. Inflation has eaten into wages, while successive interest rate hikes have left many mortgage holders facing severe repayment stress.

Small businesses—the backbone of the economy—report climbing overheads: higher wages, higher energy bills, and higher insurance premiums. For ordinary families, grocery prices, power bills, and school costs dominate far more than defence pacts or diplomatic communiqués.

The Balance Leaders Must Strike

None of this is to suggest that foreign policy doesn’t matter. The U.S. is Australia’s most important ally, and global stability underpins our long-term security. But governments risk losing credibility if they appear more invested in photo opportunities abroad than in addressing the daily pressures at home.

For Australians, the real measure of leadership is not whether their Prime Minister is welcomed in Washington—it’s whether they can afford a roof over their heads, timely access to healthcare, and a standard of living that feels sustainable.

Until those fundamentals are secured, foreign alliances will continue to matter less to voters than the cost of milk at the local supermarket.