Labor agenda ‘ambitious but affordable’: Anthony Albanese

In a major pre-election speech, Anthony Albanese sharpens attacks on the PM, outlines election priorities and details how he will bring Australians together.

Anthony Albanese has sharpened his personal attacks on Scott Morrison and warned voters they can’t trust the Coalition with “another three years of division and inaction”, using a major pre-election speech to outline Labor’s election priorities and how he will bring Australians together.

Setting-up a direct battle with the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader said the Coalition didn’t deserve a second decade in power and promised to lift stagnant wages, deliver cheaper childcare and establish Australia as a manufacturing “powerhouse” and “skills and education capital of Asia”.

“I can’t stand here today and promise you that I’ll get everything right. But I can promise you if I get something wrong – I’ll own up to it. I may not always be the smoothest talker – but I can promise you I’ll always tell it straight,” Mr Albanese told Labor supporters and colleagues at the West Ashfield Leagues Club on Sunday.

“I won’t run and hide from responsibility. I won’t go missing when the going gets tough. I think leadership is about facing up to problems and looking for solutions.”

Reflecting Labor’s shift away from the failures of the 2016 and 2019 elections, Mr Albanese said his agenda was “ambitious but just as importantly, it is affordable and it is achievable”.

“Everything we want to achieve for this nation, everything we hope to deliver for Australians, everything we see as central to the future success of this nation depends on us winning the next election,” he said.

“So, this summer, the next time someone tells you they still haven’t decided who they’re voting for and they don’t think it will make a difference anyway. Ask them this: do you really think this government led by Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce will get better in its fourth term?

“Is this as good as it gets? Do you believe, as I do, that Australia can be better? That we can aim higher?”

As the Prime Minister joined NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in the pit lanes for the Bathurst 1000 Supercars race, Mr Albanese on Sunday unveiled his slogan “A Better Future” in front of ALP faithful and senior Labor MPs including Richard Marles, Michelle Rowland, Katy Gallagher, Tony Burke, Linda Burney and Kristina Keneally.

With Labor wary of Mr Morrison’s campaigning prowess despite being ahead in the polls, Mr Albanese outlined his vision for Australia where “no-one is held back and no-one is left behind”.

“A better life for working families: stronger Medicare; cheaper child care; better aged care.

Secure jobs: better pay; fair conditions; investment in skills and education. A future made in Australia: renewable energy; manufacturing and a proper National Broadband Network.”

“And a country at home with our identity: celebrating music and the arts; cherishing the ABC and SBS. One which makes good on the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This is my vision for our country’s future.”

The Grayndler MP attacked the “cynical space in which Scott Morrison operates” as he attempts to focus Labor’s election campaign on the Covid-19 economic recovery and trust in government.

“He chooses to divide. He chooses to play politics. He chooses to pit people against each other. To pit state against state. These last two years have been tough, but Scott Morrison has only made the burden greater.”

“Australians have been simply magnificent. You have rolled up your sleeves and done your part. Because in Australia, in tough times, every one of us has to ‘hold a hose’.

“Now we all want to put the past two years behind us. To do that, we need to put this government behind us. And I want to help Australians do just that. I want to bring the nation together.”

After releasing Labor’s climate change policy on Friday, Mr Albanese said it was time to “put the climate wars behind us (and) unite around a common vision”.

“We can become a renewable energy superpower. Over the last decade the Coalition has announced over 20 energy policies and not landed a single one. Business has missed out on certainty, and Australians have missed out on jobs.”

“Labor has announced exactly one energy policy and it is the one we will implement in government. The opportunity for the country to move forward is right in front of us. Labor will seize it. We will make more things here, powered by cheap renewable energy produced by Australian workers.”