Anthony Albanese’s election win back in May 2022 against the Liberal Party’s Scott Morrison wasn’t necessarily a wipeout, but it was certainly decisive.
In his victory speech he thanked Australians for voting for “change” and promised to work every day to bring the nation together.
“I want to seek our common purpose and promote unity and not fear and — optimism, not fear and division. It is what I have sought to do throughout my political life. And what I will bring to the leadership of our country, it is a show of strength to collaborate and work with people, not weakness,” he said.
He also shared his plans for the government he was to lead, pledging to protect universal superannuation and “write universal childcare into that proud tradition”.
He vowed to “fix the crisis in aged care”, “take forward equal opportunity for women”, “establish a national anti-corruption commission”, and “embrace the Uluru Statement from the Heart”.
His swift decision in the days following to appoint the most gender-equal ministry in Australian history with 19 female frontbenchers and 10 female cabinet ministers indicated he was serious about doing things differently.
And in fairness, If Albanese hasn’t yet made good on these big promises, he’s certainly made good “first steps” in numerous areas.
In March 2024, the government released the Aged Care Taskforce final report, an important step toward establishing a sustainable aged care system providing quality care for all Australians. It also announced a record 15 percent pay increase for aged care workers across the country.
Equal opportunity for women was brought closer with the delivery of cheaper childcare, with families paying on average 14 percent less per hour per child for centre-based care since July last year. A marginal increase in paid parental leave with greater share provisions and superannuation paid on parental leave followed.
And in November 2022, Albanese legislated a National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Just yesterday, the government delivered another strong reform, with early childhood educators set to receive a record pay increase of 15 percent by December 2025.
But of course, there’s a lot that’s gone wrong for Albanese too, including Australia’s escalating cost of living crisis, lethargy on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and a failed Voice to Parliament referendum that shattered First Nations communities and undermined the government’s authority.
I had the opportunity to sit down with the Prime Minister this week to discuss the hurdles he faces and his hopes for a next term. We also delved deeper into his thoughts on legacy and the broader vision for his leadership.
A Significant Announcement
The major news of course this week that early childhood educators are set to receive a 15 percent pay increase, is a move that many, including myself, believe to be long overdue. The wage increase will be implemented in two stages: a 10 percent increase in December this year, followed by an additional 5 percent in December next year. This policy, costing $3.6 billion over two years, aims to address the gender pay gap and improve the attractiveness of working in the early childhood sector.
“This is part of my government’s commitment to gender equity,” Albanese stressed, acknowledging the persistent and “sticky” gender pay gap in Australia and highlighting the underpayment in feminised industries such as aged care and childcare.
“We want to make sure that it’s workers who benefit without families getting any increased costs. We want to drive down costs of childcare as well. And it will be good for the economy and as we know for workforce participation and productivity and other measures”, he shared.
By ensuring compliance with a fee cap framework, the government aims to balance fair wages for workers without passing on additional costs to families.
Addressing Regional Challenges
As someone living in regional NSW, I raised concerns about the scarcity of childcare services in regional areas.
Albanese noted that the wage increase would make the sector more attractive, helping retain and attract skilled workers. He also mentioned the impact of fee-free TAFE, which allows more Australians to pursue careers in early childhood education, and the increased migration to regional areas during the pandemic, which could help address service shortages.
An (Imminent) Vision for Universal Childcare
As the conversation veered naturally into the government’s broader vision for childcare in Australia, Albanese affirmed his commitment to making childcare truly universal, drawing parallels to the Labor Party’s achievements with universal healthcare and superannuation. “I want universal access to childcare and early education to be a legacy that we leave,” he shared.
Alluding to the government’s introduction of several measures to promote gender equity, including increases in paid parental leave, adding superannuation to paid parental leave, and increasing the childcare subsidy, he suggested that these weren’t just “good first steps” but indicative of the long-term goal of wide structural reform.
Personal and Political Motivations
When asked about his pursuit for gender equity, the Prime Minister made clear the agenda is not just political; it’s personal. Raised by a single mother, he noted his experience firsthand of the challenges faced by women and the importance of equal opportunity.
“It was something that my mother felt, very dearly, about equity and the need for women to be not just respected, but to have equality and equal opportunity in life,” he explained.
Referring to the other significant measures the government has taken since forming government, such as increasing domestic violence shelters, investing in DV community workers, and changing the single-parenting payment, Albanese suggests that “these measures are important for who we are.”
“I think that you judge a country in part not by how wealthy the top end is, but how much opportunity is shared, regardless of people’s gender, or for that matter, other issues as well. Every Australian deserves an equal chance in life.”
Legacy
Despite strides made, Albanese acknowledged the challenges ahead, including the shifting political landscape, with more voters turning to independents and Teal candidates. His current approval rating is at a record low.
However, he expressed confidence in his government’s record and its focus on delivering on key promises such as climate action, gender equity, and integrity.
When asked about his broader legacy, Albanese said that he hoped to be remembered not just for a strong economy and the support of social and environmental reforms, but simply, for being kind and restoring that in our national identity.
“I used a word that really has got a big response from people I’ve run into around Australia since, which is kindness. You know, we live in a society that’s really harsh, sometimes– even the role of social media in changing political discourse in a way that’s much more aggressive. I want to recognise that empathy and kindness towards each other. I don’t see that as a weakness, I see it as a strength.”
That means looking after people’s genuine aspirations for a better society and a better life, a better standard of living for themselves and their families as well.
Speaking again to his own disadvantage growing up in a low-income family, he jokes simply: “You would have got pretty good odds about me being Prime Minister when I was growing up”.
“But my mother encouraged me to stay at school. I was the first person in my family to finish school, let alone go to university. And that sacrifice that we make for others is important. I think we need to also foster that caring for each other as a society as well.”