Federal election 2016: Albo locked and loaded to challenge Shorten

LABOR figures have moved to shoot down reports of a leadership challenge from Anthony Albanese, describing the notion as ‘asburd’ and ‘ridiculous’

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LABOR frontbencher Anthony Albanese’s “last shot in the locker’’ leadership tilt could be dead in the water after Bill Shorten’s strong election performance.

Senior Labor sources have confirmed Mr Albanese’s supporters had already canvassed him to run in recent weeks but he had brushed the question aside until after the election.

But the prospects of Mr Shorten being able to fend off a leadership challenge are rising, after Labor took more seats than expected.

Former NSW Labor premier and now Sky commentator Kristina Keneally said reports this morning that Albanese would mount a challenge were absurd, saying “for goodness sake, (Shorten) became a hero last night”.

Meanwhile, Labor heavyweight Sam Dastyari declared his “unequivocal” support for Mr Shorten regardless of Saturday’s election result.

NSW right powerbroker Senator Dastyari agreed the speculation was “ridiculous” and said he had no idea where the story was coming from.

He said the response from voters to Mr Shorten has been “remarkable”.

“You know what they are doing today in a whole bunch of marginal seats ... they are erecting statues to Bill Shorten,” Senator Dastyari told Sky

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Picture Kym Smith

Member for Granydler Anthony Albanese.

Member for Granydler Anthony Albanese “shakes it off” with some kids at Annandale Public School on election day. Mr Albanese busted out some “DJ Albo” at the polling station. Picture: AAP

Mr Shorten’s backers were confident last night that Mr Albanese would be under pressure not to stand in the interests of stability if Labor recorded a respectable ­result of gaining 10 seats or more.

“I think there would be a strong case for there to be no contest. Let’s see what happens,’’ a Labor powerbroker said.

It follows the NSW Labor Right’s overtures to the Sydney left-winger over summer when a “conga line’’ of union leaders visited his office and war-gamed a possible switch in support.

The embryonic coup, which involved NSW Senator Sam Dastyari, was dumped after Malcolm Turnbull’s polling numbers went backwards when he dropped his GST and tax reform agenda.

Labor leader Shorten is understood to have made big gains in support within the ALP membership this year after releasing a big policy agenda, and is confident he could withstand a challenge. “We haven’t been a small-­target opposition. We’ve trusted the Australian people,’’ Mr Shorten said.

The Labor leadership: Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong, Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mr Shorten is understood to be “furious’’ with Victorian Premier Dan Andrews over the impact of the firefighters union battle, but may be forced to keep quiet to win votes in Victoria in any leadership ballot.

Labor powerbrokers believe Mr Albanese could beat Mr Shorten if he won the popular vote of the ALP membership but conceded it would be tougher if the Right again tried to bind MPs to vote for him. Under party rules introduced by Kevin Rudd, the leadership is automatically challenged after an election loss and the winner is protected from facing another leadership ballot until after the next election.

That means any challenger must stand now, regardless of whether Mr Shorten picks up seats from the Coalition at the federal election, or miss out on the chance. A strong performance would give Mr Shorten greater protection in a ballot.

During the last leadership contest between the two men in 2013, Mr Albanese won the popular vote of ALP members but lost the ballot when the votes of the parliamentary wing were counted because the Left split, with some powerbrokers backing Mr Shorten. Mr Albanese has repeatedly declined to rule out challenging Mr Shorten during the campaign.

“We’re not countenancing anything other than victory,’’ he said.

Asked to guarantee he would not challenge he said: “That is our only focus ... to win and that’s what we’re working on.’’

Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek is not expected to run if Mr Albanese announces his candidacy but many MPs believe she would be a strong candidate if she chose to contest.

Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek voting at Darlinghurst Public School. She’s not expected to challenge. Picture: Adam Yip/The Daily Telegraph

“She’s just made a judgment that Albo will run no matter what,’’ a Labor MP said.

Labor’s Opposition Treasurer Chris Bowen is tipped to stay out of the race if Bill Shorten recontests the ballot, ensuring there is a head-to-head battle between the Left and the Right candidates.

The divided Left faction could prove Mr Shorten’s greatest protection, with the Victorian Left, led by Kim Carr, refusing to countenance a switch to Mr Albanese.