Anthony Albanese can’t afford to misread the faithful

Labor leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: Gary Ramage

Anthony Albanese has coasted through the past year without having to stand for much other than attacking an error-ridden government.

As Labor rides high in the polls and executes a small-target strategy - praying for an easy ride to power - the Opposition Leader was hit with a dose of factional reality on Wednesday.

Emerging from a shadow cabinet and caucus meeting to discuss new religious protections proposed by the government, Albanese said in parliament they would “only succeed in driving us apart” and push a better Australia “further out of reach”.

A real or perceived belief that minority groups could be discriminated against under the legislative shake-up was enough to send some Labor MPs into meltdown.

Albanese’s big sell after the caucus meeting was to propose amendments nullifying the religious discrimination bill’s effectiveness, leaving faith groups bewildered after Labor had previously promised to back the new protections.

Religious groups want an outcome after years of promises. Adding religion to the existing disability, aged, sex and racial discrimination framework was pledged by both major parties after the introduction of same-sex marriage laws and 2019 election.

Labor MPs in multicultural and strong faith electorates, which voted No in the same-sex marriage postal survey, were sent a clear message by voters at the last election. In western Sydney, Labor frontbenchers who lost touch with religious communities and joined Bill Shorten’s attacks on Scott Morrison’s faith suffered swings against them.

After the election, we heard platitudes about how they got it wrong and would champion religious protections.

Albanese said he’d learnt from Shorten’s mistakes and would focus on reconnecting with Labor’s base, the regions and outer-suburban voters.

Labor MPs who promised to support faith groups simultaneously placated other interest groups, telling them they’d protect their rights.

While it’s fact the Coalition has had four years to sort out religious protections and shouldn’t have left it until the election siren to ram them through, Labor risks repeating the mistake of the last election.

If the ALP’s demands sink the bill, Morrison will use it as a political weapon against Albanese in multicultural electorates across the country. It would hand the Coalition ammunition to weaponise faith congregations, schools and businesses against Labor ahead of the election.

Albanese must tread carefully to avoid a backlash. His saving grace is pandemic management and economic recovery remain front of mind for voters – not religious freedoms.

He may get another free pass if the Coalition can’t get its head above water – bogged down by leaked texts, internal division, stronger protections for women and failure to cut through on economics and national security.