Simple. The implosion of the previous government (it changed leader multiple times) with rampant infighting combined with the sheer force of the Murdoch papers which are still influential in Australia.

If, as the top commenter says, Australians are so "smart and progressive", why are Murdoch papers so influential?

"Filled with" was intended as "there are plenty of" rather than "a majority of".

I live in an urban area, I would be more correct to say I am surrounded by progressive, intelligent people.

Australia is more conservative that either New Zealand or Britain, and the previous Labour government (and current opposition) are categorically hopeless.