Anthony Albanese steps up abroad more than at home
Anthony Albanese has held more press conferences outside Australia than inside the country since the referendum loss, with Labor MPs concerned about the government’s domestic agenda.
Since the defeat of the voice to parliament referendum in mid-October, Anthony Albanese has held more press conferences overseas than he has in Australia and faces accusations that he has been “hiding in the background” during the debate over community safety following the High Court’s NZYQ ruling that led to the release of detainees.
Since Sunday October 15 – the day after the voice referendum was defeated – the Prime Minister’s website lists eight press conferences in Australia, including four in Canberra, although two of these have been with foreign leaders including Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on October 18 and PNG Prime Minister James Marape on Thursday.
Joint press conferences with foreign leaders are usually truncated and limited in scope to matters affecting both nations, preventing questions being asked by journalists on the full gamut of domestic issues.
Mr Albanese’s website says that over the same period he held 10 press conferences overseas given his packed international schedule which has included visits to Washington, Shanghai, Beijing, Rarotonga and San Francisco.
The Prime Minister has also held to the practice of not answering questions on domestic matters while travelling overseas – adhering to former PM Bob Hawke’s so-called London convention. This was the standard Mr Albanese set on his first international trip attending the Quad leaders meeting in Tokyo, where he declared: “I am not commenting on domestic issues while I’m overseas.”
This year, the Prime Minister has held a total of 28 press conferences and doorstop interviews in Canberra. He has also visited more than 100 of the 151 seats across the country and has regularly conducted media interviews including across a range of key programs from the ABC’s 7.30, to Nine’s 60 minutes and A Current Affair.
Education Minister Jason Clare said that, over the past year, “when it comes to fronting up and answering questions, Anthony Albanese makes Peter Dutton look like Marcel Marceau”. The Opposition Leader has held seven doorstop interviews since the referendum defeat, including two in Canberra.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, some Labor MPs expressed concern to The Weekend Australian that Mr Albanese had spent too much time overseas rather than dealing with domestic issues. “I think the balance has tipped a bit and he (Mr Albanese) now runs the risk of being seen as someone who is more interested in the overseas part of the job,” the MP said. “What’s concerning is that view can consolidate … while people are really struggling.”
Another MP said Mr Albanese’s overseas travel would not be a problem if Labor had a stronger domestic agenda, acknowledging the opposition’s attacks on “airbus Albo” had gained traction.
“I’m not a big believer that travel is the problem here. I feel like it’s a symptom rather than a cause,” they said.
“The bigger thing here is to have a strong domestic agenda so people don’t question why you’re out of the country.
“There is no question that the government has been doing well and it is now going through a rougher patch.”
Another Labor MP said there was growing nervousness in caucus about the government’s handling of the High Court decision, which led to dangerous non-citizens being released into the community. Acknowledging the issue as Labor’s “Achilles heel”, the MP said Labor’s handling of it allowed Mr Dutton to get on the front foot.
“People are glad the year is over, and will be seeking a reset next year,” they added.
Mr Dutton on Thursday accused the Prime Minister of “hiding in the background”, telling 2GB radio that Mr Albanese was trying to avoid questions on the fallout of the High Court decision.
