In his first major speech of the year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined his re-election pitch, saying voters have a clear choice between optimism and negativity ahead of a decade that will determine Australia’s success in 2050.
Speaking at the National Press Club, Albanese firstly outlined a $626 million plan to support apprentice tradies with a cash boost of up to $10,000. The plan, he said, is part of a push to get more workers into the construction industry amid a severe housing shortage.
“Right now, a first-year carpentry apprentice earns about two-thirds of the minimum wage. Some apprentices earn even less. That’s before you buy things like tools, safety gear, clothing and boots,” Albanese said.
Albanese also said the federal government has secured new schools’ funding agreements with South Australia and Victoria, and they will join the ACT, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia. This comes 14 years after the Gonski report first outlined the National Schooling Resource Standard.
“I really think that this decade will determine what Australia looks like and how successful we are up to 2050. We need to get it right now or else we’ll fall behind while the rest of the world moves past us,” he said.
“That’s why this year’s election, your choice has never been more clear. And the consequences of your choice – for your job, your wage, your child’s education, your healthcare, and your environment – have never been more immediate.”
Albanese continued that Labor and the Coalition had “two completely different visions” for Australia.
“It’s a choice between our determination and optimism, or their fear and negativity. It’s Labor’s belief in the opportunities this decade holds, and our plans for Australians to seize them, against the Liberals’ view that Australia can’t compete and we shouldn’t try,” he said.
Response to Dutton’s ‘weak’ claims
Asked about Peter Dutton’s attacks on him about being a “weak” leader, Albanese responded by turning the table on Dutton, pointing out what he considered were “weak” moves on the opposition leader’s part.
“I’ll tell you what weakness is. Weakness is not having the guts to come to the National Press Club. Weakness is holding a press conference at a quarter to two before Question Time begins at two over the last six months, and not facing the Parliament House press gallery. Weakness is just saying ‘no’ to everything before you even see the detail,” Albanese said, referring to Dutton.
“What’s tough is coming here, fronting up, as I did last year, saying that we have changed our mind on tax cuts. Fessing up. It wasn’t what we said we’d do, but it was the right thing to do.
“We’ll continue to make difficult decisions in the national interest, even if at times, there’s a personal cost to it, because I’m determined to lead a government that changes the country for the better.”
On the cost of living
Albanese spruiked what he said was a “conscious choice” by the government to get inflation down “without treating people as expendable”.
“Inflation is down. Wages are up. And 1.1m new jobs have been created. Under our government, Australia has maintained a faster rate of employment growth than any G7 nation,” he said.
He also criticised the Coalition for opposing “every single measure” the government has delivered on cost of living.
“Peter Dutton sneers at them as “sugar hits”. The Liberals talk about waste. This is the party that gave billions of dollars in Jobkeeper payments to companies that were making record profits … They opposed two years of energy bill relief for families and small business. And they promised to fight our tax cuts for every Australian before they even saw them.”
On Trump withdrawing from Paris climate agreement
Albanese said it wasn’t a surprise to see Donald Trump pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement. He said for Australia, the focus would remain on the challenge and opportunity of climate change.
“We’ll await what the implications are for the United States based upon what they do domestically. But if you’re talking about jobs – there’s a lot of jobs involved in the transition to net zero,” he said.
On Australia Day
Asked about polling that shows support for keeping Australia Day on January 26 is increasing, Albanese said he didn’t think it was a reflection of the failed Voice referendum. He said he believed the public holiday was a celebration of “why we are the best country on Earth”.
He also acknowledged the date is a “hurtful day, a difficult day for many First Nations people”, but said most Australians were not concerned about the “debate” over the public holiday.
“Peter Dutton every year has a fight with an imaginary friend over something that most Australians are just getting on with,” he said.
“The debates over which company has thongs in it! Last year, you know, it was boycotting Woolworths, Australia’s largest employer. Did I support that? No, I didn’t support that. I support Australia Day. I’ll be celebrating Australia Day.”
If he wins a second term, Albanese said there will be no referendums on any topic.
“Referendums are hard to win in this country…So, I’m focused on practical outcomes and making a difference. That’ll be my focus next term,” he said.