Federal election 2022: Albo uses human shields for curly questions

Anthony Albanese has made a habit of deferring to his team when questions get tough, which may do the Labor leader more harm than good.

Anthony Albanese has made a habit of showcasing his frontbench team, but could deferring to his Shadow Ministers be doing the Labor leader more harm than good?

At a media conference in East Gosford on Tuesday, Mr Albanese was quick to pass specific questions about his “Help to Buy” housing policy to spokesman Jason Clare, who had clearly been practising his attacks on the government in the mirror.

“I reckon in that cabinet room there’s sour cream and sweet chilli sauce there, there’s so many wedges there,” Mr Clare said in one trademark zinger.

Mr Albanese also flicked on a question about whether it would be helpful for first homebuyers if he sold off some of his investment properties, to ease supply shortages.

At one point, Mr Chalmers repoonded with a “thanks boss” before stepping forward to answer a question.

Jason Clare and Labor leader Anthony Albanese during a press conference. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Labor leader has increasingly deferred to his portfolio representatives to answer tricky questions on policy issues since coming out of Covid isolation on Friday.

Jason Clare in action. Picture: Liam Kidston

On Saturday, he deflected questions about cost of living and Reserve Bank rate rises to his Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers, and Mr Clare has done a lot of the heavy lifting in explaining Labor’s “Help to Buy” scheme.

It is a notable difference to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s campaign approach, where Mr Morrison fields most questions solo.

Mr Morrison has relied on Jason Clare to answer some of the tougher questions. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Clare – who is a campaign spokesman for Labor – was also front and centre when Mr Albanese was stuck in isolation for a week. So much so that in a TV interview the Labor leader was asked about “chatter” suggesting Mr Clare take over as leader.

“I’m captain of a great team. And Jason Clare is certainly better looking than I am. There is no question about that. He’s a great mate of mine. We have a fantastic team and people have stepped in today,” Albanese responded.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese answers a question in the seat of Robertson NSW. Picture: Liam Kidston

At his campaign launch on Sunday Mr Albanese said his Covid isolation had made him briefly feel “sympathy” for the PM.

“You see, I know I can count on Penny (Wong) and Richard (Marles), Katy (Gallagher) and Jim (Chalmers) and so many others to make the arguments for Labor,” he said.

“But who’s he got? Alan Tudge and Peter Dutton. The unspeakable and the unthinkable. And Barnaby Joyce, the inexplicable,” he said, to laughter from the audience.

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