The reimposition of restrictions cannot be discounted should there be a fresh coronavirus outbreak, according to Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, citing NSW’s mishandling of the delta strain last year as a “triumph of hope over reality” that plunged the state into a harder lockdown than necessary.

Addressing The Australian Financial Review Business Summit on Wednesday, Mr Albanese also has singled out land planning and development rules as one area ripe for harmonisation among the states under plans to establish a new vehicle to drive federation reform.