Medicare and childcare reforms: Anthony Albanese’s ‘ambitious’ election agenda

With a federal election looming, Anthony Albanese has shifted into campaign footing. Here we can reveal the top policy areas the Prime Minister is eyeing for his election platform.

Childcare and Medicare reforms will be a part of the “ambitious” policies Anthony Albanese will take to the election, as the Prime Minister kicks into election mode.

Mr Albanese told his caucus last week that the government was preparing for an “ambitious second-term agenda”, with an election due no later than in seven months.

News Corp can reveal the Labor government is eyeing education reforms — especially childcare, Medicare investment and regional jobs — as part of its election policies.

The PM, who has just returned from a trip to Laos for the ASEAN and East Asia summits, also put supermarkets on notice, saying more action on competitive prices was on the agenda.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN-Australia Summit. Picture: AFP

“We have a vision for a future made in Australia and I want to deliver this as part of a second-term agenda, if we are fortunate enough for the Australian people to once again put their trust in us,” Mr Albanese said.

“This means creating more jobs in the industries for the future for our kids here at home, especially in the regions.

“I would like to continue to build on our education reforms, especially in childcare, and I want to continue building a stronger Medicare — a nation where it’s not your credit card that gets you dignified, quality healthcare but your Medicare card.

“And I will continue pursuing the supermarkets to get fairer prices for Australians at the check out.”

Childcare, Medicare and supermarket reforms are on the agenda.

After the failed Voice referendum was criticised for dividing Australians, Mr Albanese said his election policies would focus on “uniting” us all — taking a swipe at Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for being a “negative” politician.

“We take nothing for granted, being PM is a great honour,” he said.

“I also believe in uniting Australia rather than dividing.

“We achieve so much more when we work together and are not dogged by conflict and negativity.

“Australians are exhausted by negative politicians that fight with each other instead of fighting for them, that’s just one of the differences between me and the Opposition Leader.”

The election policy areas flagged by Mr Albanese build on the government’s recent work in boosting the salaries of childcare educators, tightening regulations on dodgy supermarkets and tripling the bulk billing incentive.

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Originally published as Medicare and childcare reforms: Anthony Albanese’s ‘ambitious’ election agenda