Anthony Albanese tipped to replace Bill Shorten as party leader

Anthony Albanese has firmed as Labor leader after Bill Shorten’s resignation last night, with party knives also out for Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen following their disastrous election loss.

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Anthony Albanese has firmed as the frontrunner to take on the Labor leadership.

Even before Mr Shorten has announced he would be stepping down as leader, Mr Albanese was accused of making a pitch for the leadership while addressing his local supporters.

“I must accept, as we must collectively, responsibility for the fact that many people who rely upon us will be disappointed,” Mr Albanese said.

Bill Shorten is expected to be dumped as Labor leader after last night’s election results. Picture: Alex Coppel

Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen is also expected to pay the price for Labor’s results. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

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“But what I am absolutely convinced about … that this movement is much bigger than any ­individual.”

Labor was hopeful it could pick up seats in Victoria but suffered major swings leading to Mr Shorten’s second election loss in three years.

NSW MP Anthony Albanese (pictured) is considered an early frontrunner for the job.

“We better get a big casket for Bob and bury Bill with him,” one Labor MP said last night.

Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen is also set to face a backlash from devastated Labor loyalists who have blamed his franking credits policy for the disastrous election result.

“Nationally, the biggest swings were in seats with lots of over 65s,” a senior Labor figure said.

Labor Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese was last night accused of making a pitch for the Labor leadership. Picture: Jordan Shields

“This was his policy, and he will definitely be facing a backlash. In his own seat of McMahon, he faced a swing of 8 per cent — the third largest swing against Labor in NSW.”

The tax was blamed for the shock loss of the Tasmanian seats of Braddon and Bass, while also having a major impact in the western Sydney seat of Lindsay.

Another Labor source blamed the leadership group’s strategy to push out green policies such as electric cars.

“Labor is going to have to have a good hard look at itself and how we to move forward.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese tipped to replace Bill Shorten as party leader