Why Anthony Albanese is ready to take on Federal Labor leadership

After a difficult 12 months, both politically and personally, Anthony Albanese says he is more than ready to take on the Labor leadership. And his faithful dog Toto will be by his side.

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After surviving one of the most difficult years of his life, Anthony Albanese is set to become Australia’s next Labor leader, a role that has come at exactly the right time.

In the past 12 months the 56-year old has been through a marriage breakdown, an election loss and supported his only son as he completed year 12. Now it’s his time.

“A lot of people who run for leadership positions are people who have thought about it for a long time. I was a very political person but I went into parliament to make a difference not to be the leader,” Mr Albanese told The Sunday Telegraph.

Nominations for the Labor leadership will close tomorrow, but with no contenders Mr Albanese will get his chance to lead the party he joined 40 years ago, after missing out on the job six years ago.

In 2013 Albo, as he is known, won the support of the party’s rank and file members, but didn’t receive the backing of his Parliamentary colleagues whose votes are worth more, meaning Bill Shorten would take the top job.

Anthony Albanese with his dog Toto, who has helped him navigate the past 12 months. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

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“I am a more rounded politician than if I had got the leadership six years go,” he said.

“I think I have grown as a politician and a person.”

Away from Canberra Mr Albanese, who was raised by his single mum is now learning how to be a single dad after his 30-year relationship with wife, former NSW deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt, recently ended.

Mr Albanese lives with his 18-year-old son Nathan, who he consulted over his leadership bid, and the family’s dog Toto who has been by his side during a 12 months.

“Toto has been great, she was also a hit on pre-poll,” he said.

“One of the great things about having dog is it ensures you get exercise.”

The veteran politician has maintained a dignified silence following the breakdown of his marriage but admits it took him by surprise. He said there is no animosity between him and Ms Tebbutt, who looks after Toto when he’s away.

Mr Albanese and his former NSW Minister wife Carmel Tebbutt recently announced the end of their marriage. Picture Gary Ramage

After years of perceived unity among the federal Labor Party, cracks have emerged in the past week amid reports Mr Shorten was trying to persuade colleagues not to support Mr Albanese’s leadership bid. Mr Albanese said he has had limited contact with Mr Shorten in the past week which he described as “professional”.

Many Labor MPs critical of the 2019 election campaign believe the party walked away from blue-collar workers, particularly those in the coal industry, by siding with the Greens on issues like the Adani coal mine project.

Mr Albanese whose own Sydney seat of Grayndler remains under threat from the Greens, believes Labor needs to strike a balance between protecting the environment and keeping workers employed.

He is taking them on his own electorate and now he wants to take them on nationally.

“I have never been frightened of saying why Labor’s agenda is different from the Greens agenda,” he said.

Mr Albanese is set to replace Bill Shorten, pictured here with wife Chloe, and Federal Labor Leader. Picture: James Ross

“People want jobs and a better quality of life for their children than they had for themselves.”

“We need an agenda that speaks the majority of Australians.”

“We can’t set the debate as; Do you support the environment or jobs? Good environmental policy is about the environment and jobs.”

Despite being from the Labor Party’s left faction, Mr Albanese is expected to take the Opposition back to being a party for workers, while avoiding a divisive class war.

“Labor, when they get it right should be the natural party of government.”

“What unites us as a nation is greater than what divides us.”