Federal election 2022: Anthony Albanese’s 100-day plan for a ‘better future’

Anthony Albanese believes he will preside over a fundamental change in Australia with a new style of leadership, beginning with an ambitious plan if he wins the election.

Anthony Albanese has sought to reassure undecided voters he has ‘a plan for a better future’ and leads ‘the most experienced incoming team” that Labor has taken to an election’. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Anthony Albanese believes he will preside over a fundamental change in the mind and mood of Australia with a new style of leadership and approach to governing, beginning with an ambitious 100-day plan if he wins the election.

In an exclusive final-week interview, the Labor leader outlined key aspects of his priority agenda and sought to reassure undecided voters that he had “a plan for a better future” and leads ”the most experienced incoming team” that Labor has taken to an election.

Mr Albanese’s busy 100-day plan would begin with a swearing-in of himself as prime minister and Penny Wong as foreign minister on Sunday or Monday to attend the Quadrilateral meeting with leaders from the US, Japan and India in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The Australian can also reveal that the Labor caucus is expected to meet on May 30 to elect ministers as required under party rules, with a swearing-in of the full ministry to take place later that week.

Scott Morrison said on Tuesday that Mr Albanese was “getting a bit ahead of himself” by declaring that he would seek a swift swearing-in after the election. “He seems to think this election is already done,” the Prime Minister said. “Australians will make this decision; you don‘t get to make it before the election.”

The 100-day plan, subject to advice, also includes:

• Replace the head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Philip Gaetjens.

• Convene the first sitting of the 47th parliament in June.

• Treasurer Jim Chalmers to deliver a ministerial statement on the budget and economic outlook in June.

• Hold a summit with business and unions that will inform a white paper on employment

.• Begin structural change in departments and prepare legislation to deliver policies on climate change, energy, infrastructure, skills, employment, an integrity commission and constitutional recognition.

Mr Albanese said he would adopt a very different style of national leadership to Mr Morrison with a new tone, approach and governing model in order to reshape Australia.

“I want to bring the Australian people on the journey of shaping change,” he said. “In the way that I intend to govern, if we are successful, it will be more inclusive and respectful as well, including the way that the parliament functions.

“I want there to be a genuine contest of ideas and I want government to be accountable. We will also, in the first 100 days, continue work on the structures of a national anti-corruption commission. We will have legislation introduced before the end of the year.

“Australians have conflict fatigue. I want to lead a government that will bring people together that works to find common interest between big business and unions, between small business and their employees, and between the Commonwealth and every state and territory local government.

“I want to look for common interest and areas of unity. This government and this Prime Minister looks for division.”

Mr Albanese previously told The Australian that he had no confidence in Mr Gaetjens, a former chief of staff to Peter Costello and Mr Morrison as treasurers, because he had “politicised” the top public service role.

The 47th parliament would, subject to advice, sit in June when Mr Chalmers would deliver a ministerial statement on the state of the budget and outlook for the economy. He expects to present a new 2022-23 budget in October.

An Employment Summit would be convened with business groups and unions with the aim of working together to boost productivity, implement Labor’s secure work policies and look at ways to improve enterprise bargaining.

After his return from the Quad meeting, Mr Albanese said, he would begin discussions with central agencies – the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Treasury and Finance – to begin the process of putting in place “structures” to drive policy “change” and prepare legislation.

He named implementing his Powering Australia Plan and establishing the National Reconstruction Fund and Jobs and Skills Australia as early priorities.

The new government would identify “waste and rorts” in the budget, continue developing legislation for an integrity commission and work towards implementing an Indigenous voice to parliament.

Labor has a plan for a better future,” Mr Albanese said. “We have a plan for cheaper childcare, for strengthening Medicare, for cheaper electricity.

“I lead the most experienced incoming team that Labor has ever had. I am proud of my record over a long period of time.

“I characterise that record as collaboration and working with people, creating bodies like Infrastructure Australia to work with the private sector so that real outcomes can be got for people.”