Anthony Albanese caught copying Bill Shorten’s 2015 budget policy
Anthony Albanese has been left red-faced after appearing to copy a policy from former leader Bill Shorten’s 2015 policy.
Anthony Albanese appears to have taken Labor’s post-budget response back-to-the-future, stealing a “new” policy from former leader Bill Shorten’s 2015 policy.
In an embarrassing revelation, the Labor Leader’s important budget-in-reply speech tonight contains a big, new announcement with the same name and same number of student places that was first unveiled by Mr Shorten in 2015.
“Startup Year” is designed to offer 2,000 students the opportunity to be mentored by the most innovative universities and private-sector incubators to turn their ideas into Australia’s future businesses.
In a joint press release by Mr Albanese’s office and Innovation spokesman Ed Husic released on Thursday, both men lash the Morrison government for inaction.
“After eight long years of failing to invest in innovation under the Morrison government, Australia is already lagging the rest of the world when it comes to accelerating future industries,’’ it states.
But bizarrely, the quote appears to be lightly rearranged from a press release and fact sheet issued for an identical policy six years ago when it was announced by former Labor leader Bill Shorten in 2015.
RELATED: ‘Fumbled so badly’: Leigh Sales grills PM
RELATED: Ten million Aussies to get tax increase
“After two years of Liberal Government inaction on innovation, Australia is lagging right at the time when we should be gearing up to compete,’’ the original policy states.
Industry Minister Christian Porter told news.com.au that Mr Albanese’s decision to lift the policy from 2015 was proof he had no new ideas.
“Mr Albanese’s key policy on innovation in 2021 is a direct word-for-word copy of the same announcement made by Bill Shorten in 2015,’’ he said.
“If you can’t be innovative enough to come up with a new policy on innovation in six years, you’re in real trouble”
In September, 2015, Mr Shorten announced an identical policy to encourage 2,000 students to partake in a “Startup Year” whilst at university to “develop their ideas, get business know-how, and connect with finance”.
“Labor will boost Australia’s young aspiring entrepreneurial talent by providing income contingent loans to students to support their participation in university accelerators or similar incubators run by successful entrepreneurs,” the Getting Australia Started fact sheet [PDF] said.
“The loan will cover the cost of the support provided to them by an accredited accelerator program and accredited non-award programs and initiatives, up to the maximum annual student contribution level under the HECS system.”
Mr Albanese will deliver his highly anticipated budget reply speech tonight at 7:30 pm.
‘Backwards’: Albo blasted over economy fears
Australia is at risk of taking “noticeable” steps backwards, with one business leader saying prominent CEOs are fearing the country is “losing” its way.
Joyce’s wild nuclear claim after earthquake
A wild claim from Barnaby Joyce about the future of a nuclear plant in the area where a 4.7 magnitude quake struck has led to a fiery exchange with a fellow panellist.
Fury over bombshell union bikie claim
The Coalition has seized on reports Anthony Albanese had been made aware of allegations the CFMEU had been infiltrated by organised crime links years before the current scandal.