Labor rivals Anthony Albanese, Bill Shorten unite as issues hit online conference

Bill Shorten hails Anthony Albanese as the ‘next prime minister’, as Labor’s first online national conference is plagued by tech issues.

Bill Shorten has hailed Anthony Albanese as the next prime minister of Australia. Picture: AAP/NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

Bill Shorten has labelled his rival Anthony Albanese as the “next prime minister of Australia”, as Labor’s first online national conference struggles with technical issues.

The longtime adversaries put on a united front at the webinar event, as Mr Shorten introduced the man who replaced him as Labor leader.

“The starting point for all of us at this conference must be the knowledge and the belief that Labor can most assuredly win the next election,” Mr Shorten said from the Revesby Workers Club in Western Sydney, which is the headquarters for the event.

“And it’s now my pleasure to introduce the Leader who will take us to that victory.

“Albo loves this party – but his greatest love is our country.

“Like so many of us, he is driven by that powerful Australian aspiration to hand on a better deal to the next generation.

“Delegates, please welcome, our leader and the next Prime Minister of Australia: Anthony Albanese.”

Mr Shorten and Mr Albanese have had a bitter relationship since they competed against each other for Labor leader after the 2013 election.

The moment was reminiscent of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard sitting next to each other at the ALP launch of the 2019 campaign, when Mr Shorten pulled out all-stops to ensure Labor looked unified compared to the division that engulfed the Coalition.

During the event on Tuesday morning, media access to the online portal was down during the first hour of the event, while there were also technical issues over accessing amendments.

In a policy debate, opposition health spokesman Mark Butler scuttled the Health Workers Union’s attempts to commit Labor to offering no assistance to the private health system.

Mr Butler’s amendment to the HWU’s anti-privatisation motion was supported by more than 300 ALP delegates to 22 against.

The opposition health spokesman earlier said that, while he supported some principles of the HWU’s wider motion against privatisation, he could not support moves to completely cut off the private health sector considering many Australians rely on it.

The HWU has reserved the right to take the ALP to court and invalidate any motion at conference.

The conference will run over two days, with 400 delegates representing unions and Labor members to vote on policies for the party’s platform it will take to the next election.

Key debates on Tuesday will include women’s issues and foreign policy.

Mr Albanese called on Australians to remove Scott Morrison’s Coalition at the next election, saying women’s voices are being unheard under this government.

The Opposition Leader accused the Prime Minister of having no post-pandemic plan for women, jobs, climate change, and First Nations people.

“The pandemic laid bare some unacceptable truths, about an aged care system in crisis, about millions of Australians in jobs that simply aren’t safe or secure, millions more in jobs that don’t pay enough or have enough hours,” he said in Revesby.

“Women’s voices going unheard, a voice for First Nations people being denied, and the realities of climate change being ignored. A government so addicted to marketing spin that it is now spinning itself and the country into the ground. They have no plan for the future, none.

“My question for the country is this: After such a year of sacrifice, is this all they can offer us? In return, Labor will offer more. We will say to Australians, we are on your side.”

ALP President Wayne Swan said “we simply have to win” the next election so a Labor government could rebuild the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Labor could replicate Joe Biden’s effort in beating Donald Trump at the US election last year.

“Winning is going to take hard work, the courage of our convictions, and unity of purpose,” Mr Swan said.

“But we simply have to win. There is no alternative. Defeat can’t be an option for us.

“The nation looks to us again – as it always does when the going gets tough.

“Australia is right now weathering several simultaneous health, climate, economic and social emergencies.

ALP National President Wayne Swan appeared at the virtual event with Bill Shorten’s titles.

“Disease, floods and unemployment threaten us. A lack of progress for women, First Nations people and others divides us.

“And all our government has in response is political spin. More marketing.”

Mr Swan said the Morrison government was on the wrong side of history.

“It can’t see that the world it exists to serve no longer exists. That our planet’s climate is heating up,” Mr Swan said.

“That women will no longer be silent in the face of inequality and danger. And that the economy isn’t working for everyone. Let’s ignore reality, the Morrison government says, and it will just go away. Let’s live in the past.

“Donald Trump tried the same strategy. And look how that ended up.”

Jenny McAllister, Linda Burney and Tanya Plibersek on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Opposition indigenous Australians spokeswoman Linda Burney opened the event with an acknowledgment of the traditional Aboriginal land holders.

“Reciprocity is a cornerstone of the First Nations worldview. This notion of reciprocity acknowledges that we are all connected,” Ms Burney said.

“Individuals, communities and our living environment. Reciprocity forms the foundation of Labor beliefs, values and traditions as well. Ensuring no Australian gets left behind.”