After his thumping election victory,Anthony Albanesehas the chance to lead one of Australia’s consequential and long-term governments.
With significantly enhanced authority inside Labor and across parliament – as well as a demoralised opposition – he says the government is back at work “continuing to build Australia’s future”.
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Having outlined his desire for multiple terms in power to deliver lasting change, what are Albanese’s priorities for the coming days and weeks?
Here are five items at the top of the prime minister’s to-do list:
Albanese expects to swear in his new frontbench on Tuesday next week. That meansLabor’s factionsneed to settle their choices in time for a caucus meeting at Parliament House on Friday.
Within Labor, factional bosses pick their members for promotion and the party leader allocates portfolios. Tension is flaring between Victorian and New South Wales MPs over positions in the ministry – and it’s possible one member of the NSW rightcould be pushed out of cabinet.
An announcement on who’s in and who’s out of Labor’s frontbench is expected as soon as Sunday or Monday.
Despite being dubbed “Airbus Albo”, the prime minister has signalled he will prioritise meetings with world leaders.
He will meet with Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, on Wednesday 14 May, and has accepted an invitation from Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, to attend the G7 leaders’ summit in Alberta in mid-June. That trip could also include a stop in Washington DC for talks with the US president, Donald Trump. The traditional international summit season is in the second half of the year.
Labor will have to decide when to call MPs and senators back to Canberra for the opening of parliament. That could take place in June or after the traditional winter break scheduled for July.
Albanese was asked this week if the government wanted to pass legislation for its promised 20% cut to higher education debts before the end of the financial year on 30 June, but he said the timing would be determined by Labor. Whenever parliament sits, newly elected senators from the 3 May election will not start their terms until 1 July.
The first legislation in the new parliament will be forcuts to Hecs debts. The plan will see 20% taken off students debts, applying to $16bn worth of loans. A graduate with the average debt of $27,600 would have more than $5,500 taken off their loan.
Labor could also move quickly on more controversial plans to increase the tax on superannuation accounts worth more than $3m, including the taxation of unrealised gains, which has been slated to come into force from 1 July. Originally announced in Labor’s first term, the plan has been held up due to a lack of support in parliament. The Greens want the tax threshold lowered to $2m but Labor will not agree to the change.
Other bills expected in the new term include redrafted reforms to environmental laws and the creation of an environment protection agency, new truth in political advertising laws, as well as changes in childcare, gender equality, housing and disability care.
Albanese used his election night victory speech to pay tribute to his fiancee, Jodie Haydon. The pair got engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2024 and considered eloping this year. Their current plan is to marry in spring. Timing and optics of the nuptials could be sensitive, given cost-of-living pain facing households and Albanese’ssensitivity around matters related to his family. The couple had planned a small wedding ceremony, but Haydon’s large family means a more substantial guest list could be necessary. She said in February the ceremony could be outdoors, in the second half of this year. “You can be sure Toto will make an appearance,” she told The Australian Women’s Weekly.