Anthony Albanese to MPs: ‘Do as I say, not as I do’

Anthony Albanese has ‘muzzled’ senior colleagues ahead of the Eden-Monaro by-election.

Anthony Albanese finds time for a laugh during a difficult question time in parliament on Thursday. Picture: AAP

Anthony Albanese has “muzzled” senior opposition colleagues and adopted Bill Shorten’s widely criticised communications strategy in a bid to control Labor messaging ahead of the crucial Eden-Monaro by-election.

Facing internal pressure to hold on to the traditional bellwether electorate vacated by retiring Labor MP Mike Kelly, the Opposition Leader on Thursday refused to sack Anthony Byrne from his role as deputy chairman of the powerful intelligence and security committee.

After days of suggesting he could not speak with Mr Byrne, who has been caught up in the widening branch-stacking scandal involving Adem Somyurek, because of pending police and IBAC investigations, Mr Albanese confirmed he had met the Victorian Right faction MP on Wednesday afternoon.

“I checked on his welfare. Anthony Byrne is someone who has been under pressure and it was appropriate that I check on his welfare. I also discussed and sought an assurance from him that he had advice, which he has, that he has acted legally at all times,” Mr Albanese said.

Shadow cabinet members, who met on Monday, endorsed Mr Albanese’s proposal for a new communications strategy that would force all MPs to request permission from the Opposition Leader’s office before speaking to the media.

Then Labor leader Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese on day 26 of the 2019 campaign at Kingswood, west of Sydney. Picture: Liam Kidston

While shadow cabinet members said the strict rules would be in place until the Eden-Monaro by-election, opposition media advisers were left with the impression the rules were ongoing.

The strategy was described as a “one voice, one issue” approach.

Senior opposition MPs accused Mr Albanese of being ­“hypocritical” for issuing the edict, given he never complied with Mr Shorten’s centralised communications strategy.

“We are being treated like children,” one Labor MP told The Australian.

The MP said there would be “a lot of MPs keen to do media if Mr Albanese lost the Eden-Monaro by-election”.

Mr Albanese’s colleagues said the strategy change was an ­attempt to “tighten control” of outspoken Labor MPs, including Joel Fitzgibbon, who has spoken out against opposition policy on climate change and China.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese addressing the Labor caucus at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

After last year’s election, Mr Fitzgibbon joined with other Labor MPs in calling for more freedom to publicly express views that were counter to opposition policy.

During Mr Shorten’s tenure as opposition leader, Mr Albanese refused to comply with his media rules and was highly critical of the command-and-control approach of the former leader’s office.

Sources close to Mr Albanese said the new strategy was intended to remove a “scattergun approach” with a “sniper-like focus”.

In a move to heap pressure on Mr Albanese over the branch-stacking scandal, Scott Morrison said Mr Byrne’s future in the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security was a test for the Labor leader.

The Australian understands MPs on the committee, of which Mr Byrne is a long-time member, are broadly comfortable with the Labor MP’s continued involvement.

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese talks to Shadow Minister for Climate Change Mark Butler, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Tony Burke and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles during Question Time.

“I would take a recommendation from the Leader of the Opposition as to who he believes should be serving on that committee in the first instance. And I would like to see what his recommendation would be,” the Prime Minister said.

“There are very serious implications … this is an important committee … a very important committee, which facilitates, on occasion, bipartisanship on important national security issues.”

Mr Byrne is a friend of former prime minister Kevin Rudd, who maintains a close relationship with Mr Albanese.

Mr Albanese’s office has handled media requests for Mr Byrne this week.

Anthony Byrne is a friend of former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Here thet are photographed during 2007 election campaign.