Greg Sheridan, foreign editor of The Australian, said the centre-left is collapsing into a populist and extremist left [1].

This shift suggests a fundamental change in the ideological landscape of Australian politics, potentially alienating moderate voters and altering the nation's diplomatic alignment.

Sheridan discussed these trends during an appearance on News24, an Australian program [1]. He said the movement is increasingly defined by a focus on Gaza and the demonization of both Israel and the U.S. [1]. According to Sheridan, these elements, combined with a heavy emphasis on identity politics, are driving the transition toward a more radical political stance [1].

He described the current state of the movement as a failure. He said the shift is not an organic local development but is instead an imitation of overseas political currents [1].

"Our local left-wingers are completely derivative of what happens in London and New York," Sheridan said [1].

Sheridan said that the preoccupation with foreign conflicts and identity-based narratives has pushed the centre-left away from its traditional base [1]. He characterized the trend as a collapse of moderation in favor of populist rhetoric [1].

"[They’re] concerned about Gaza, demonising Israel, demonising America, and identity politics," Sheridan said [1].

He concluded that the adoption of these foreign-influenced frameworks represents a significant systemic breakdown in local political leadership [1]. "This is a very big failure," Sheridan said [1].

“Our local left-wingers are completely derivative of what happens in London and New York.”

Sheridan's critique highlights a growing tension between traditional social democracy and a new wave of globalized activism. By linking Australian political shifts to movements in New York and London, he suggests that domestic policy and discourse are being superseded by international ideological trends, specifically regarding the Middle East and identity politics.