Abstract
This study examines opposition conduct during major national crises in Australia from 1996 to 2025. Drawing on the established crisis governance literature, it develops a four-position typology for assessing opposition responses: Full Bipartisan Support, Qualified Support with Constructive Critique, Critical Engagement, and Active Politicisation. This study applies this framework to eight significant national shock events, with a particular focus on the Port Arthur massacre (1996), the Bondi Junction stabbing (April 2024), and the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre (December 2025). The analysis identifies concerning departures from the established norms of crisis bipartisanship in recent opposition conduct, including premature politicisation, factually contested claims regarding government responsibility, and advocacy for policy measures that threaten democratic freedoms. This study concludes with recommendations for strengthening crisis governance norms while protecting civil liberties.