‘Threw away the script’: Albo explains candid moment during speech

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed the reason he went off script during an emotional address on the first day of parliament.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has explained the reason he teared up while giving an address on the first day of the 47th federal parliament on Tuesday.

Mr Albanese said the opportunity for historic change on First Nations recognition hit home as he addressed the new group of MPs and senators.

He referred to a speech by Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian Paul House, who earlier in the day urged the parliament to commit to all three key elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart – including a national treaty and truth-telling.

“I thought Paul House’s speech was incredibly powerful and hence I threw away the script this morning,” Mr Albanese told ABC 730 host Sarah Ferguson.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the weight of opportunity for historic change caused him to go off script during an address on the first day of parliament. Picture: AFP

During his own speech, Mr Albanese challenged the new parliamentarians to have scope about their position and make the most of their time in office.

“You’re not here for that long, none of us will be,” Albanese said, becoming visibly emotional.

“And when you’re sitting on the porch, thinking about what you did, you can either have a source of pride, or a source of regret.

“There’s no middle path, no middle path. Make it a source of pride.”

Labor has committed to holding a referendum on introducing an Indigenous voice to parliament – a policy which Mr Albanese has put at the forefront of his government’s agenda.

Labor has committed to a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament, which is one of the measures called for by the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Albanese was asked if the weight of handling China relations in an increasingly uncertain time kept him up at night, to which he replied regional stability was the main goal.

He refused to be drawn on the question of defending Taiwan in the instance of a Chinese invasion.

“We don’t deal in hypotheticals,” Mr Albanese said.

“What we want is peace and security in the region. We don’t want military conflict and that’s why we need to do everything we can to avoid it.”

“It’s also important we don’t raise fears in order to score domestic political points.”

Ahead of a major economic address by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Thursday, Mr Albanese said his government was taking action such as introducing cheaper childcare to help take the strain off families.

“We face economic head winds. We face rising inflation. We face rising interest rates. There are real challenges there,” he said.

“But I’m comfortable that my Government has a plan to deal with those challenges.”