How Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s day went pear-shaped in just 58 minutes

Anthony Albanese was all smiles when he arrived to cheers at a Labor rally today, but less than an hour later he left with a scowl on his face after cutting short a press conference.

As little as an hour can be an eternity in politics. Just ask Anthony Albanese.

At 10.27am on Wednesday the Labor leader walked into a Melbourne rally with a huge smile.

Hundreds of members of a national nurse and midwifery union chanted “Albo, Albo, Albo” while waving signs declaring “strengthen Medicare”.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s day turned from good to bad in just 58 minutes. Picture: Toby Zerna,

Taking inspiration from the successful Mediscare campaign that did damage to Malcolm Turnbull in 2016, Mr Albanese confidently declared Medicare’s creation “was one of the overriding priorities of the Hawke Government”.

“It is only Labor that believes to our core in Medicare,” he said.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese was all chipper when he met photographers in Melbourne. Picture: Toby Zerna

Anthony Albanese was even more pleased to see supporters waiting for him as he walked in to deliver his media conference. Picture: Toby Zerna

He also announced a new telephone support service for nurses and midwives, which brought cheers.

“Whether you are concerned about stress levels, feel exhausted or anxious, or are struggling with mental health, you will be able to pick up the phone and get free, confidential and independent advice, information, treatment and specialist referrals,” he said.

Anthony Albanese was all smiles as he walked through the crowd at the Labor-friendly Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation conference. Picture: Toby Zerna

Later, as music blared and people cheered, Laura Moorfoot, who is the vice-president of the Deakin University Labor Club, asked for a selfie with Mr Albanese.

“Oh my god, he touched my phone,” she excitedly exclaimed to friends.

But exactly 58 minutes later, inside a lift, Mr Albanese looked tense and like he couldn’t get away fast enough.

Anthony Albanese was not so happy when he walked out of the press conference, prematurely ending his media conference seven minutes early. Picture: Toby Zerna

It was just after he’d finished his third press conference of the campaign.

Journalists had been promised 15 minutes – but they only got about eight minutes before he cut it off.

Mr Albanese had been quizzed about whether he would review the JobSeeker rate.

“I’ve said consistently that there will be, you’ll consider these things in every budget,” he answered.

“That’s what every government should do … what this government should do.”

He was also asked about how he would fund his announcement of creating 50 bulk-billed GP-run urgent care clinics, which he only really said had been costed like all their policies.

The smile on Anthony Albanese’s face when he arrived was replaced with a stern look as he headed back to his car. Picture: Toby Zerna

“You said you would take all questions, Mr Albanese, why aren’t you taking all the questions like you’ve agreed to?” he was asked as he walked off.

“Mr Albanese, why aren’t you taking all the questions like you’ve agreed to?”

Just two days ago – even longer than an hour – he had promised to give every journalist a chance to ask a question, declaring he was different to Scott Morrison and wouldn’t run away from press conferences.

Originally published as How Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s day went pear-shaped in just 58 minutes