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The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
You know who could fix our housing crisis? The Albanese from 30 years ago
With the unwavering confidence of a prime minister backed by a decisive mandate (from 34.6 per cent of voters?), Anthony Albanese has warned the incoming crossbench to "get out of the way and let the private sector build [more housing]." That sector presides over a projected 262,000 home undershoot on the government's five-year target of 1.2 million new homes. Rewind to 1996. In his first speech to parliament, a 33-year-old Albanese stated that his "democratic socialist" politics partly developed from his upbringing in public housing. It is easy to conclude that Albanese was merely strumming the same air guitar version of democratic socialism to which some Labor Left circles still hold. This consists of entirely liberal platitudes about a more generous social safety net funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. Worse, Albanese now appears to revel in occupying the political centre. This is a person who spent the lead-up to Labor's 2019 election defeat unmistakably positioning himself to outflank Bill Shorten from the right. During the recent election, Albanese declared: "I don't pretend to be a revolutionary. I'm a reformist." Gough Whitlam admitted the same to Chairman Mao Zedong in 1973. But the scope and scale of Whitlam's fleeting three years in office contrasts jarringly with the near invisible size of the timid half-measures that have passed for reform under Albanese's Labor Party. The current historical moment calls for nothing less than the democratic socialism to which the young Albanese laid claim. Nowhere is this more evident than housing. 2636 construction companies were declared insolvent in the financial year to March. Large swathes of housing projects have stalled due to rising costs, despite having already received approvals. Some are already indirectly supported through Albanese's Housing Australia Future Fund. The simple truth is that most of these-and many other potential-projects could move forward were they not contingent on the time-wasting web of competing private property developers, construction companies, and investors seeking ever more complex ways to recover costs plus a rate of return. Unlike for-profit businesses, government-owned corporations (such as Australia Post) can run on a break-even basis, or at a loss. This means housing construction can in principle be undertaken by government at lower cost. There are limits to how much indirect government support can be justified before the very need for private sector involvement is called into question. When these concessions become too generous, they look more like a direct transfer of public resources to boost private profits. The government wants many more houses to be built. Yet when, for instance, construction companies fail in the market, they do not pay the social cost of losing yet more skilled construction workers to the unemployment queue, or the mining and manufacturing industries. All of this suggests the need for a genuine democratic socialist housing plan. Simply put, the market is too slow, wasteful, and unpredictable. Imagine the federal government starts by purchasing failing small to medium construction companies, and then controlling stakes in the large Australian construction corporations. Existing managers and workers could be reoffered their positions on Commonwealth salaries. In parallel, the government could establish a federal property developer that is statutorily tasked with coordinating the construction of affordable public housing, guided by annual and five-year construction targets. Federal government ministers in regular contact with state and territory counterparts could sit on the developer's board, enabling a more rational division of resources and workers between national and sub-national infrastructure projects. How would this be paid for? First, the economic research shows that this kind of arrangement would probably more than pay for itself through flow-on effects between industries. Second, the profits of more successful large companies in the government's construction industry portfolio could be used to prop up loss-making companies. Third, a major source of money is found in the portion of national income being paid out as rent for housing. This amounted to around $80.58 billion over the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 alone. The vast majority of this accrued to private landlords. MORE OPINION: As a federal property developer acquires more private land, a larger portion of these revenues could be freed up for reinvestment into public housing. Is this not a recipe for cosy deals between the Labor government and unions, at taxpayers' expense? Well, again in his first speech to parliament, the young Albanese convincingly reassured us that he has "always been a strong advocate for a pro-active, efficient and dynamic public sector. The ideologically driven view that the public sector is a huge monolith which exhausts economic and human resources must be challenged." Pro-housing supply crossbench parties in the upcoming 48th Parliament can and should introduce, scrutinise, and improve detailed legislation that makes these ideas real and constitutionally workable. The jury is still very much out on whether these overtures would be enough to rekindle the democratic socialist spark of Albanese's youth. If not, he must answer to the almost two-thirds of voters who did not give the Labor Party their first preference. For many of these people, big ambition on housing is the order of the day. With the unwavering confidence of a prime minister backed by a decisive mandate (from 34.6 per cent of voters?), Anthony Albanese has warned the incoming crossbench to "get out of the way and let the private sector build [more housing]." That sector presides over a projected 262,000 home undershoot on the government's five-year target of 1.2 million new homes. Rewind to 1996. In his first speech to parliament, a 33-year-old Albanese stated that his "democratic socialist" politics partly developed from his upbringing in public housing. It is easy to conclude that Albanese was merely strumming the same air guitar version of democratic socialism to which some Labor Left circles still hold. This consists of entirely liberal platitudes about a more generous social safety net funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. Worse, Albanese now appears to revel in occupying the political centre. This is a person who spent the lead-up to Labor's 2019 election defeat unmistakably positioning himself to outflank Bill Shorten from the right. During the recent election, Albanese declared: "I don't pretend to be a revolutionary. I'm a reformist." Gough Whitlam admitted the same to Chairman Mao Zedong in 1973. But the scope and scale of Whitlam's fleeting three years in office contrasts jarringly with the near invisible size of the timid half-measures that have passed for reform under Albanese's Labor Party. The current historical moment calls for nothing less than the democratic socialism to which the young Albanese laid claim. Nowhere is this more evident than housing. 2636 construction companies were declared insolvent in the financial year to March. Large swathes of housing projects have stalled due to rising costs, despite having already received approvals. Some are already indirectly supported through Albanese's Housing Australia Future Fund. The simple truth is that most of these-and many other potential-projects could move forward were they not contingent on the time-wasting web of competing private property developers, construction companies, and investors seeking ever more complex ways to recover costs plus a rate of return. Unlike for-profit businesses, government-owned corporations (such as Australia Post) can run on a break-even basis, or at a loss. This means housing construction can in principle be undertaken by government at lower cost. There are limits to how much indirect government support can be justified before the very need for private sector involvement is called into question. When these concessions become too generous, they look more like a direct transfer of public resources to boost private profits. The government wants many more houses to be built. Yet when, for instance, construction companies fail in the market, they do not pay the social cost of losing yet more skilled construction workers to the unemployment queue, or the mining and manufacturing industries. All of this suggests the need for a genuine democratic socialist housing plan. Simply put, the market is too slow, wasteful, and unpredictable. Imagine the federal government starts by purchasing failing small to medium construction companies, and then controlling stakes in the large Australian construction corporations. Existing managers and workers could be reoffered their positions on Commonwealth salaries. In parallel, the government could establish a federal property developer that is statutorily tasked with coordinating the construction of affordable public housing, guided by annual and five-year construction targets. Federal government ministers in regular contact with state and territory counterparts could sit on the developer's board, enabling a more rational division of resources and workers between national and sub-national infrastructure projects. How would this be paid for? First, the economic research shows that this kind of arrangement would probably more than pay for itself through flow-on effects between industries. Second, the profits of more successful large companies in the government's construction industry portfolio could be used to prop up loss-making companies. Third, a major source of money is found in the portion of national income being paid out as rent for housing. This amounted to around $80.58 billion over the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 alone. The vast majority of this accrued to private landlords. MORE OPINION: As a federal property developer acquires more private land, a larger portion of these revenues could be freed up for reinvestment into public housing. Is this not a recipe for cosy deals between the Labor government and unions, at taxpayers' expense? Well, again in his first speech to parliament, the young Albanese convincingly reassured us that he has "always been a strong advocate for a pro-active, efficient and dynamic public sector. The ideologically driven view that the public sector is a huge monolith which exhausts economic and human resources must be challenged." Pro-housing supply crossbench parties in the upcoming 48th Parliament can and should introduce, scrutinise, and improve detailed legislation that makes these ideas real and constitutionally workable. The jury is still very much out on whether these overtures would be enough to rekindle the democratic socialist spark of Albanese's youth. If not, he must answer to the almost two-thirds of voters who did not give the Labor Party their first preference. For many of these people, big ambition on housing is the order of the day. With the unwavering confidence of a prime minister backed by a decisive mandate (from 34.6 per cent of voters?), Anthony Albanese has warned the incoming crossbench to "get out of the way and let the private sector build [more housing]." That sector presides over a projected 262,000 home undershoot on the government's five-year target of 1.2 million new homes. Rewind to 1996. In his first speech to parliament, a 33-year-old Albanese stated that his "democratic socialist" politics partly developed from his upbringing in public housing. It is easy to conclude that Albanese was merely strumming the same air guitar version of democratic socialism to which some Labor Left circles still hold. This consists of entirely liberal platitudes about a more generous social safety net funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. Worse, Albanese now appears to revel in occupying the political centre. This is a person who spent the lead-up to Labor's 2019 election defeat unmistakably positioning himself to outflank Bill Shorten from the right. During the recent election, Albanese declared: "I don't pretend to be a revolutionary. I'm a reformist." Gough Whitlam admitted the same to Chairman Mao Zedong in 1973. But the scope and scale of Whitlam's fleeting three years in office contrasts jarringly with the near invisible size of the timid half-measures that have passed for reform under Albanese's Labor Party. The current historical moment calls for nothing less than the democratic socialism to which the young Albanese laid claim. Nowhere is this more evident than housing. 2636 construction companies were declared insolvent in the financial year to March. Large swathes of housing projects have stalled due to rising costs, despite having already received approvals. Some are already indirectly supported through Albanese's Housing Australia Future Fund. The simple truth is that most of these-and many other potential-projects could move forward were they not contingent on the time-wasting web of competing private property developers, construction companies, and investors seeking ever more complex ways to recover costs plus a rate of return. Unlike for-profit businesses, government-owned corporations (such as Australia Post) can run on a break-even basis, or at a loss. This means housing construction can in principle be undertaken by government at lower cost. There are limits to how much indirect government support can be justified before the very need for private sector involvement is called into question. When these concessions become too generous, they look more like a direct transfer of public resources to boost private profits. The government wants many more houses to be built. Yet when, for instance, construction companies fail in the market, they do not pay the social cost of losing yet more skilled construction workers to the unemployment queue, or the mining and manufacturing industries. All of this suggests the need for a genuine democratic socialist housing plan. Simply put, the market is too slow, wasteful, and unpredictable. Imagine the federal government starts by purchasing failing small to medium construction companies, and then controlling stakes in the large Australian construction corporations. Existing managers and workers could be reoffered their positions on Commonwealth salaries. In parallel, the government could establish a federal property developer that is statutorily tasked with coordinating the construction of affordable public housing, guided by annual and five-year construction targets. Federal government ministers in regular contact with state and territory counterparts could sit on the developer's board, enabling a more rational division of resources and workers between national and sub-national infrastructure projects. How would this be paid for? First, the economic research shows that this kind of arrangement would probably more than pay for itself through flow-on effects between industries. Second, the profits of more successful large companies in the government's construction industry portfolio could be used to prop up loss-making companies. Third, a major source of money is found in the portion of national income being paid out as rent for housing. This amounted to around $80.58 billion over the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 alone. The vast majority of this accrued to private landlords. MORE OPINION: As a federal property developer acquires more private land, a larger portion of these revenues could be freed up for reinvestment into public housing. Is this not a recipe for cosy deals between the Labor government and unions, at taxpayers' expense? Well, again in his first speech to parliament, the young Albanese convincingly reassured us that he has "always been a strong advocate for a pro-active, efficient and dynamic public sector. The ideologically driven view that the public sector is a huge monolith which exhausts economic and human resources must be challenged." Pro-housing supply crossbench parties in the upcoming 48th Parliament can and should introduce, scrutinise, and improve detailed legislation that makes these ideas real and constitutionally workable. The jury is still very much out on whether these overtures would be enough to rekindle the democratic socialist spark of Albanese's youth. If not, he must answer to the almost two-thirds of voters who did not give the Labor Party their first preference. For many of these people, big ambition on housing is the order of the day. With the unwavering confidence of a prime minister backed by a decisive mandate (from 34.6 per cent of voters?), Anthony Albanese has warned the incoming crossbench to "get out of the way and let the private sector build [more housing]." That sector presides over a projected 262,000 home undershoot on the government's five-year target of 1.2 million new homes. Rewind to 1996. In his first speech to parliament, a 33-year-old Albanese stated that his "democratic socialist" politics partly developed from his upbringing in public housing. It is easy to conclude that Albanese was merely strumming the same air guitar version of democratic socialism to which some Labor Left circles still hold. This consists of entirely liberal platitudes about a more generous social safety net funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. Worse, Albanese now appears to revel in occupying the political centre. This is a person who spent the lead-up to Labor's 2019 election defeat unmistakably positioning himself to outflank Bill Shorten from the right. During the recent election, Albanese declared: "I don't pretend to be a revolutionary. I'm a reformist." Gough Whitlam admitted the same to Chairman Mao Zedong in 1973. But the scope and scale of Whitlam's fleeting three years in office contrasts jarringly with the near invisible size of the timid half-measures that have passed for reform under Albanese's Labor Party. The current historical moment calls for nothing less than the democratic socialism to which the young Albanese laid claim. Nowhere is this more evident than housing. 2636 construction companies were declared insolvent in the financial year to March. Large swathes of housing projects have stalled due to rising costs, despite having already received approvals. Some are already indirectly supported through Albanese's Housing Australia Future Fund. The simple truth is that most of these-and many other potential-projects could move forward were they not contingent on the time-wasting web of competing private property developers, construction companies, and investors seeking ever more complex ways to recover costs plus a rate of return. Unlike for-profit businesses, government-owned corporations (such as Australia Post) can run on a break-even basis, or at a loss. This means housing construction can in principle be undertaken by government at lower cost. There are limits to how much indirect government support can be justified before the very need for private sector involvement is called into question. When these concessions become too generous, they look more like a direct transfer of public resources to boost private profits. The government wants many more houses to be built. Yet when, for instance, construction companies fail in the market, they do not pay the social cost of losing yet more skilled construction workers to the unemployment queue, or the mining and manufacturing industries. All of this suggests the need for a genuine democratic socialist housing plan. Simply put, the market is too slow, wasteful, and unpredictable. Imagine the federal government starts by purchasing failing small to medium construction companies, and then controlling stakes in the large Australian construction corporations. Existing managers and workers could be reoffered their positions on Commonwealth salaries. In parallel, the government could establish a federal property developer that is statutorily tasked with coordinating the construction of affordable public housing, guided by annual and five-year construction targets. Federal government ministers in regular contact with state and territory counterparts could sit on the developer's board, enabling a more rational division of resources and workers between national and sub-national infrastructure projects. How would this be paid for? First, the economic research shows that this kind of arrangement would probably more than pay for itself through flow-on effects between industries. Second, the profits of more successful large companies in the government's construction industry portfolio could be used to prop up loss-making companies. Third, a major source of money is found in the portion of national income being paid out as rent for housing. This amounted to around $80.58 billion over the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 alone. The vast majority of this accrued to private landlords. MORE OPINION: As a federal property developer acquires more private land, a larger portion of these revenues could be freed up for reinvestment into public housing. Is this not a recipe for cosy deals between the Labor government and unions, at taxpayers' expense? Well, again in his first speech to parliament, the young Albanese convincingly reassured us that he has "always been a strong advocate for a pro-active, efficient and dynamic public sector. The ideologically driven view that the public sector is a huge monolith which exhausts economic and human resources must be challenged." Pro-housing supply crossbench parties in the upcoming 48th Parliament can and should introduce, scrutinise, and improve detailed legislation that makes these ideas real and constitutionally workable. The jury is still very much out on whether these overtures would be enough to rekindle the democratic socialist spark of Albanese's youth. If not, he must answer to the almost two-thirds of voters who did not give the Labor Party their first preference. For many of these people, big ambition on housing is the order of the day.
Sky News AU
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘No individual is greater than the collective': Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls for humility ahead of cabinet reshuffle
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese foreshadowed changes to his frontbench, calling for humility ahead of new ministerial appointments after the election. The federal election delivered a boost to the Labor Left which has outnumbered the Right in caucus for the first time. Following the development, Mr Albanese has told Sky News that 'no individual is greater than the collective' as factional jockeying intensifies. Party factions choose the pool of ministers for the cabinet and Mr Albanese allocates portfolios to the nominees. 'We have a process and we'll work it through,' Mr Albanese said on Thursday, ahead of the Labor Party caucus meeting on Friday. 'The important thing is… for most of the 125 years since Federation, we've sat at the other end of the corridor in the old place, in the opposition party room. 'Government brings with it responsibility, and no individual is greater than the collective — that includes myself.' The reshuffle follows the retirements of former NDIS and government services minister Bill Shorten and former assistant treasurer Stephen Jones. Mr Albanese is not expected to significantly overhaul his frontbench but some new faces are likely to be elevated. 'We have an incredible team and a caucus that's full of talent… People have opportunities to contribute to the team in a range of ways,' he said. NSW Senator Tim Ayres, a left faction powerbroker, is seen as a near-certainty for promotion after reportedly stepping aside to allow female promotion in the past. Another likely new minister is incoming Tasmanian MP Rebecca White, a former state Labor opposition leader who made the transition to federal politics. Mr Albanese handpicked Ms White to contest the seat of Lyons after the retirement of former MP Brian Mitchell. One of the more contentious topics of reshuffle speculation has been the future of Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek. There has been rumours Ms Plibersek may be moved to the NDIS portfolio following her demotion from the education portfolio to environment, which she currently holds. Foreign Minister Penny Wong told Sky News any frontbench changes would be "a matter for the caucus and the Prime Minister". 'The Prime Minister has made clear his view about some of the senior leadership and us staying in our roles,' she said on Tuesday. 'Beyond that, the decision will be for caucus and for the Prime Minister about which portfolios he allocates.' Other names being mentioned for promotion include Bruce MP Julian Hill, Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton and Fraser MP Daniel Mulino. Mr Albanese promoted exclusively women in the last round of promotions, including Katy Gallagher, Anne Aly, Anika Wells and Amanda Rishworth.
The Age
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Federal election results 2025 LIVE updates: Albanese to give Left an extra ministry; Kooyong Lib hopeful slams party slogan; Tight race in key seats
Go to latest What you need to know By Daniel Lo Surdo We're set for another busy day, as the fallout and counting from Saturday's election continues. Labor will resume preparations for its second term, ahead of an expected caucus meeting in Canberra later this week. The Coalition will plan for another three years in opposition, with the appointment of a new leader atop its agenda. Here's what else you need to know as we start the morning: The Australian Electoral Commission will continue its vote count as the composition of the next federal parliament becomes increasingly clear. The seats of Wills and Franklin were both called in Labor's favour yesterday, while Liberal Tim Wilson claimed Goldstein from teal incumbent Zoe Daniel, three years since the independent won the Melbourne seat from Wilson. Greens leader Adam Bandt is among the political hopefuls nervously waiting for votes to be counted. He is facing a serious challenge in Melbourne from Labor challenger Sarah Witty, while teal candidates Monique Ryan and Nicolette Boele both face tight races in Kooyong and Bradfield, respectively. The Nationals Party is set for a leadership reshuffle, as deputy leader Perin Davey faces an uphill battle to be re-elected in the Senate. Davey said she was 'shattered' by her looming defeat, which she blamed on elector discontent with the Liberals, rather than the junior Coalition party. US President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House overnight. Carney addressed Trump's interest in making Canada the 51st US state, telling Trump in an amicable discussion that Canada 'won't be for sale ever'. 6.24am Left poised to get new ministry By David Crowe and James Massola The Labor Left is poised to gain a key place in the federal ministry after winning up to a dozen seats at the election, taking a prized position vacated by former party leader Bill Shorten and extending its influence in government. The moves depend on the final election tally, with many seats still in doubt, but have already triggered concerns in the party's Right faction about the limited options for promotion into the ministry and cabinet. Albanese will convene a caucus meeting in Parliament House on Friday to mark the historic election victory land formalise the vote on ministry membership. The caucus will increase from 103 members and senators to at least 110 and as many as 121. The Labor Left will add more members to the caucus than the Right. Incoming Tasmanian MP Rebecca White, a former state opposition leader, is seen as a likely appointment to the ministry in the Left faction vote. The other leading candidates are Ged Kearney, a former president of the ACTU, and Jess Walsh, an economist and former union official. Read the full story here. 6.23am What you need to know By Daniel Lo Surdo We're set for another busy day, as the fallout and counting from Saturday's election continues. Labor will resume preparations for its second term, ahead of an expected caucus meeting in Canberra later this week. The Coalition will plan for another three years in opposition, with the appointment of a new leader atop its agenda. Here's what else you need to know as we start the morning: The Australian Electoral Commission will continue its vote count as the composition of the next federal parliament becomes increasingly clear. The seats of Wills and Franklin were both called in Labor's favour yesterday, while Liberal Tim Wilson claimed Goldstein from teal incumbent Zoe Daniel, three years since the independent won the Melbourne seat from Wilson. Greens leader Adam Bandt is among the political hopefuls nervously waiting for votes to be counted. He is facing a serious challenge in Melbourne from Labor challenger Sarah Witty, while teal candidates Monique Ryan and Nicolette Boele both face tight races in Kooyong and Bradfield, respectively. The Nationals Party is set for a leadership reshuffle, as deputy leader Perin Davey faces an uphill battle to be re-elected in the Senate. Davey said she was 'shattered' by her looming defeat, which she blamed on elector discontent with the Liberals, rather than the junior Coalition party. US President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House overnight. Carney addressed Trump's interest in making Canada the 51st US state, telling Trump in an amicable discussion that Canada 'won't be for sale ever'.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Federal election results 2025 LIVE updates: Albanese to give Left an extra ministry; Kooyong Lib hopeful slams party slogan; Tight race in key seats
Go to latest What you need to know By Daniel Lo Surdo We're set for another busy day, as the fallout and counting from Saturday's election continues. Labor will resume preparations for its second term, ahead of an expected caucus meeting in Canberra later this week. The Coalition will plan for another three years in opposition, with the appointment of a new leader atop its agenda. Here's what else you need to know as we start the morning: The Australian Electoral Commission will continue its vote count as the composition of the next federal parliament becomes increasingly clear. The seats of Wills and Franklin were both called in Labor's favour yesterday, while Liberal Tim Wilson claimed Goldstein from teal incumbent Zoe Daniel, three years since the independent won the Melbourne seat from Wilson. Greens leader Adam Bandt is among the political hopefuls nervously waiting for votes to be counted. He is facing a serious challenge in Melbourne from Labor challenger Sarah Witty, while teal candidates Monique Ryan and Nicolette Boele both face tight races in Kooyong and Bradfield, respectively. The Nationals Party is set for a leadership reshuffle, as deputy leader Perin Davey faces an uphill battle to be re-elected in the Senate. Davey said she was 'shattered' by her looming defeat, which she blamed on elector discontent with the Liberals, rather than the junior Coalition party. US President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House overnight. Carney addressed Trump's interest in making Canada the 51st US state, telling Trump in an amicable discussion that Canada 'won't be for sale ever'. 6.24am Left poised to get new ministry By David Crowe and James Massola The Labor Left is poised to gain a key place in the federal ministry after winning up to a dozen seats at the election, taking a prized position vacated by former party leader Bill Shorten and extending its influence in government. The moves depend on the final election tally, with many seats still in doubt, but have already triggered concerns in the party's Right faction about the limited options for promotion into the ministry and cabinet. Albanese will convene a caucus meeting in Parliament House on Friday to mark the historic election victory land formalise the vote on ministry membership. The caucus will increase from 103 members and senators to at least 110 and as many as 121. The Labor Left will add more members to the caucus than the Right. Incoming Tasmanian MP Rebecca White, a former state opposition leader, is seen as a likely appointment to the ministry in the Left faction vote. The other leading candidates are Ged Kearney, a former president of the ACTU, and Jess Walsh, an economist and former union official. Read the full story here. 6.23am What you need to know By Daniel Lo Surdo We're set for another busy day, as the fallout and counting from Saturday's election continues. Labor will resume preparations for its second term, ahead of an expected caucus meeting in Canberra later this week. The Coalition will plan for another three years in opposition, with the appointment of a new leader atop its agenda. Here's what else you need to know as we start the morning: The Australian Electoral Commission will continue its vote count as the composition of the next federal parliament becomes increasingly clear. The seats of Wills and Franklin were both called in Labor's favour yesterday, while Liberal Tim Wilson claimed Goldstein from teal incumbent Zoe Daniel, three years since the independent won the Melbourne seat from Wilson. Greens leader Adam Bandt is among the political hopefuls nervously waiting for votes to be counted. He is facing a serious challenge in Melbourne from Labor challenger Sarah Witty, while teal candidates Monique Ryan and Nicolette Boele both face tight races in Kooyong and Bradfield, respectively. The Nationals Party is set for a leadership reshuffle, as deputy leader Perin Davey faces an uphill battle to be re-elected in the Senate. Davey said she was 'shattered' by her looming defeat, which she blamed on elector discontent with the Liberals, rather than the junior Coalition party. US President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House overnight. Carney addressed Trump's interest in making Canada the 51st US state, telling Trump in an amicable discussion that Canada 'won't be for sale ever'.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Albanese to dole out an extra ministry to the Left after landslide win
The Labor Left is poised to gain a key place in the federal ministry after winning up to a dozen seats at the election, taking a prized position vacated by former party leader Bill Shorten and extending its influence in government. The moves depend on the final election tally, with many seats still in doubt, but have already triggered concerns in the party's Right faction about the limited options for promotion into the ministry and cabinet. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will convene a caucus meeting in Parliament House on Friday to mark the historic victory last Saturday and formalise the vote on the membership of the ministry, clearing the way for him to allocate the portfolios. The caucus will increase from 103 members and senators before the election to at least 110 and as many as 121 after the votes are finalised. The Labor Left will add more members to the caucus than the Right, shifting the balance of power within the parliamentary party and so giving it another position in the ministry. Loading Incoming Tasmanian MP Rebecca White, a former state opposition leader, is seen as a likely appointment to the ministry in the Left faction vote. The other leading candidates are Ged Kearney, a former president of the ACTU, and Jess Walsh, an economist and former union official. The three Left faction members are in line to replace the position in the ministry vacated by Shorten before the election, but this is likely to mean a place in the outer ministry rather than cabinet. Albanese elevated Aged Care Minister Anika Wells to cabinet before the election, filling Shorten's position at that level with a prominent member of the Queensland Right.
