Federal Election 2025: Leadership Matters Q and A with Anthony Albanese
Anthony Albanese has provided some revealing answers during a picture-led question and answer session.
Peppered with a series of images at The West Australian's Leadership Matters breakfast on Thursday, the Prime Minister was asked what word first came to mind.
When a picture of Kevin Rudd popped up, Mr Albanese said 'ambassador'.
Pressed by host Ben Harvey 'for how long?', the Prime Minister said the work Mr Rudd had done as US ambassador in relation to critical minerals was 'extraordinary'.
'You know, we need to value people who've made a contribution in public life if they want to continue to do so.'
Asked about an image of popular WA Premier Roger Cook, Mr Albanese said: 'Friend'.
'We actually realised the other day we've known each other since 1984 which is more than 40 years. We must have known each other since kindergarten,' he says.
On TV personality and newly elected WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas, he said: 'Tall is one thing.'
'I'm trying to be polite here,' he laughed.
But on the topic of the potential of Mr Zempilas being premier, he was firmer.
'That's unlikely, he struggled to get his seat,' Mr Albanese said.
His view on Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor was also probed when asked if he had to be stuck on a desert island with one of them who would he pick.
'Oh gee. I think I'd probably pick Peter...because, uh, you know I can have, I've had personal one-on-one conversations with him.
'We can chat about things from time to time in confidence. That's important. I don't really have a relationship with Angus. I don't really know him.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
West Australia could realign its public holidays with eastern states
West Australians could be treated to an additional public holiday next year as the state looks at aligning its system with the east coast. WA currently has the lowest number of public holidays in the nation, and usually has a day off one week earlier than its eastern state counterparts. The state celebrates WA Day on the fist Monday in June, then celebrates the Kings Birthday on the fourth weekend in September. Most other states and territories celebrate the Kings Birthday on the second weekend in June. Premier Roger Cook said it was ridiculous to have a situation where Western Australia closes its doors when the east coast was open for business. Picture: NewsWire/ Sharon Smith Premier Roger Cook said his department was looking at realigning West Australian public holidays with the east coast so they were better synched. 'It is ridiculous you have a situation where Western Australia closes its doors or shuts the shop when the east coast is open for business,' he said. 'Today of course, you'll have frustrated members of the Western Australian business community that can't access their colleagues on the east coast. 'I'm reviewing the whole range of public holidays we have in Western Australia and where they land to make sure that we've got better alignment and that they work better for the WA community 'We are part of a national economy, and we should be working together much better to ensure better alignment around these days. ' Premier Roger Cook said his department was looking at realigning WA's public holidays with the east coast. Picture: NewsWire/Philip Gostelow CCIWA chief economist Aaron Morey said it was a good call from the premier but he did not support an additional public holiday. 'I think it's a good call from the Premier and lining up holidays definitely has public merit, how many birthdays does the king need?' he said. 'We're going to see some distraction today, the Melbourne Collingwood game on, I think people would rather be at home watching that.' But Mr Morey said he did not support having an additional public holiday in WA, which were huge headache for small businesses doing it tough. 'Someone might see a public holiday as a benefit, but for a small business, they just see another day when they have to pay $65 an hour for someone to wash dishes,' he said. 'It's really difficult for small business to navigate and to plan around public holidays, and so certainly not supportive of that concept.'
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Sussan Ley to deliver National Press Club address, first Liberal leader to do so since Scott Morrison
Sussan Ley will give a significant speech at the National Press Club in a move aimed to distance herself from her predecessor Peter Dutton. The Opposition Leader is set to outline her vision for the new-look Liberal Party after it suffered its worst election result, with the Coalition reduced to a paltry 43 seats compared with Labor's 94. However, Ms Ley is not expected to share any new policy announcements, with the party still reviewing its agenda following May's blistering loss. Instead, she will detail how the Liberals will aim to win back voters ahead of the next federal poll due in 2028. 'Addressing the National Press Club is an important opportunity to talk to Australians about the work the Liberal Party will do over the next three years to reflect, respect and represent modern Australia,' she said, ahead of her appearance on June 25. 'Aspiration is the thread that connects every single part of Australian society and by focusing on that, the Liberal Party can once again earn the trust of communities across the country.' Anthony Albanese will address the National Press Club on Tuesday, with his speech set to detail Labor's second-term agenda. The Prime Minister was critical of former opposition leader Peter Dutton of eschewing addressing the club, accusing him of being 'unwilling to face up to the scrutiny'. The speeches are generally televised live and speakers are expected to answer questions from journalists following their remarks. 'For a leader, being here in the last week of the election campaign is more than a matter of respect for tradition,' Mr Albanese told the club a week before the May 3 federal election. 'Standing here is about taking responsibility for your plans. Being here is about being accountable, to the people, to the democratic process.' Ms Ley will also be the first female major party leader to address the National Press Club since Julia Gillard, who fronted the venue prior to Labor's losing election in 2013. Ms Ley will also be first Liberal leader to do so since the appearance of then prime minister Scott Morrison in 2022.
AU Financial Review
3 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Big majority doesn't mean big plans, Albanese cautions
Anthony Albanese is hosing down expectations his government is about to embark on a bold new agenda just because it has a commanding majority, saying it must first deliver on what it has already promised so as not to sabotage voter goodwill. In his first major speech since Labor's election victory last month, the prime minister will tell the National Press Club on Tuesday that his government's immediate focus is the delivery of its current agenda, whether that be the transition to clean energy, housing, bolstering Medicare or seeing people through the cost of living crisis.
