Anthony Albanese’s Perth launch foreshadows battle between Labor frontbenchers to succeed him
If Anthony Albanese wins a majority victory at the May 3 election – as some Labor figures are now confident he will – the Prime Minister will need to manage the competitive juices flowing across his frontbench.
Despite three weeks of campaigning left to go, the confidence and hubris on show at Albanese’s campaign launch in the Perth Convention Centre was overwhelming.
In front of a crowd of 500 diehard and mostly older Labor supporters, Albanese shared an awkward moment with Left-faction rival Tanya Plibersek as he greeted cabinet ministers.
After stripping Plibersek of the education and women portfolios in the wake of the 2022 election and appointing the 55-year-old as Environment and Water Minister, Albanese subsequently overruled her on key issues involving environmental laws and salmon farming.
Following campaign launch speeches from Anne Aly, Richard Marles and WA Premier Roger Cook, Albanese and fiancee Jodie walked out to greet the faithful. As the 62-year-old approached Plibersek, she held up her hands and blew him an awkward air kiss before giving Jodie a proper peck on the cheek.
Labor cabinet ministers had earlier taken their positions in the front row.
Albanese’s power cabal of Penny Wong, Katy Gallagher, Tony Burke, Jason Clare and Don Farrell walked out together. They were followed by Jim Chalmers, and finally by Marles.
Marles, long considered one of the “nice guys in politics” who hasn’t built his career on toxic and partisan political attacks, delivered a scathing assault against Peter Dutton.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who some believe would be Albanese’s preferred successor whenever that day arrives, put on the boxing gloves and gave it to his old Today show sparring partner.
Amid ongoing speculation about the long-term political futures of cabinet veterans, including Wong, factional dealings that would occur if Labor wins the election will be fierce and focused around pressure for a second Albanese government to usher in the next generation of ministers. There is great ambition across Labor ranks, from backbenchers who want to move up the ladder to ministers seeking higher-profile portfolios.
As the Coalition drifts further back in polling, Labor has begun to reclaim its first-term policy legacy.
The campaign launch in WA, where Labor won its slim majority in 2022 on the back of antipathy towards Scott Morrison and the Coalition, started with a “This is What We Do” jingle and compilation video talking up the Albanese government’s record on industrial relations, gender equality, climate change, renewables and health.
The arrival of Julia Gillard, who did not speak at the launch, was met with rousing applause from Labor’s true believers. Gillard’s presence speaks to the confidence of a resurgent Labor government, which has begun shedding policy anxiety to embracing its radical agenda underpinned by big-spending programs and forever debt.
If Albanese wins the election, even with a slim minority result based on a historically low primary vote and with more crossbenchers, voters should expect Labor to unleash more spending across its pet policy areas under the belief that voters have given them a “mandate”.
Before the last election, Albanese hid some of Labor’s more radical IR and environmental agendas.
If he becomes the first PM since John Howard to go back to back, Labor will move to “build Australia’s future” in a mould the ALP views as right for the country.
Lib candidate breaks ranks on forestry
A Liberal candidate is flouting her party’s stance on native forestry, saying most of her electorate wants the logging banned.
Three-term Albo? A bit of banter hoists PM on his own curtain rod
When Peter Dutton said he’d live at Kirribilli House, Labor rightly pasted him for hubristically ‘measuring up the curtains’. Now Anthony Albanese has had his own curtains moment – and more.