Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese, a senior minister in the last Labor government and briefly deputy prime minister, is preparing to “hit the ground running” if the ALP wins next year’s election.
But meanwhile the opposition is concentrating on staying focused and on message, fully aware that things can always go wrong.
Speaking to The Conversation, Albanese wouldn’t comment on Bill Shorten’s unpopularity with voters, arguing instead that it’s a matter of whether the Labor team is “seen as worthy of election”.
Albanese predicts next week’s ALP national conference will be “very constructive”, dismissing concerns about divisions over boat turnbacks.
The debate is not focused on that, he said – rather the emphasis is on settling people from Nauru and Manus in third countries, dealing with those needing medical assistance, and co-operating in regional processing.
Asked about the ALP last week capitulating to the government over the encryption bill, Albanese said he wasn’t involved in the decision, which was “made by the leadership group”.
Always under pressure from the Greens in his own seat of Grayndler, Albanese predicts a “schism” in the “dysfunctional” party is imminent. A conflict between two tendencies in the NSW Greens could lead to a split “as soon as the March state election … two parties essentially running against each other trying to claim the same ground”.
Treasurer Chalmers on boosting migration and a ’resilience’ budget
David Littleproud on charting his course in opposition
Word from The Hill: Morrison faces inquiry into how he flouted responsible government
Crossbencher Helen Haines on Morrison and integrity
On Scott Morrison’s bizarre power grab
How far will China go? La Trobe’s Nick Bisley says China’s ’risk appetite’ has gone up
Tom Calma on the Indigenous Voice to parliament
Peter Dutton puts nuclear power on opposition’s agenda
Is Morrison’s absence from parliament disrespectful to his voters?
Health Minister Mark Butler warns COVID wave will worsen
‘Pandemic fatigue’ takes its toll of mandates and even the expert health advice
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jason Clare on Australia’s education challenges
People’s pockets hit again, with rate rise and floods set to boost veggie prices
Parliamentary ‘newbies’ inspect their workplace, with some complaints
Greg Barns on the battle to free Julian Assange
On the economy, people smugglers, parliamentary sitting, and Julian Assange
Tony Wood on the unprecedented energy crisis
Bowen says “bumpy” time ahead for power supply – but don’t turn the heater off
Warm smiles in Indonesia, but chillier news
Tony Burke advocates on wages and arts
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free