Thread: Keeping tabs on Australia"s newly elected Government

World leaders congratulate Anthony Albanese on election victory

World leaders from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, India, France, Indonesia, and the European Union have congratulated Anthony Albanese on Labor's resounding electoral victory.

While US President Donald Trump has yet to publicly comment, the US sent its well-wishes via secretary of state Marco Rubio.

"The United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with Australia to advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally," Rubio said.

Trump had last week indicated he would speak to Albanese: "They are calling and I will be talking to him, yes," he told reporters when asked about the election and bilateral trade.

Former US president Joe Biden was also quick to congratulate his "friend" Albanese, saying: "America and Australia have a vibrant alliance anchored in shared values and I know that Anthony will continue to stand for them."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Australia and the UK were "as close as ever".

Canada's recently elected prime minister Mark Carney said Australia and Canada were close partners in "an increasingly divided world".

"We have the opportunity to build on that relationship and our shared values to the benefit of both our nations, and I look forward to it."

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Albanese had a "confident electoral victory".

"Ukraine sincerely values Australia's unwavering support and its principled stance on ending Russia's war and securing a dignified and lasting peace. We look forward to further strengthening our productive partnership in pursuit of peace, security, and freedom."

India's Narendra Modi congratulated Albanese for Labor's "emphatic mandate", which he said indicated the "enduring faith of the Australian people in your leadership".

"I look forward to working together to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," he posted on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron posted a picture with Albanese and said his country would have "much to achieve" with Australia in the face of global challenges.

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Albanese, saying: "Europeans and Australians are not just friends – we're mates," she wrote on X.

"Let us seize this moment of stability to deepen our cooperation."

Anthony Albanese gets warm welcome in electorate as Coalition confronts worst-ever result

The Coalition is on track for its worst-ever result at a federal election after last night's landslide Labor election victory.

This morning Anthony Albanese greeted voters at a cafe in his inner western Sydney electorate of Grayndler.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns to Canberra to start second term in office after Labor's resounding federal election victory

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will return to Canberra on Monday to start his second term in office after a resounding election win, with enacting Labor's policy pledges set to be the focus.

Labor claimed victory in the federal election after securing a larger than expected majority over the Coalition, locking in 87 seats according to the latest count.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party continues to grapple with a devastating election defeat while it prepares to select a new leader following Peter Dutton's defeat in his Queensland seat of Dickson.

Mr Albanese is expected to hit the ground running on fulfilling Labor's election promises, which includes slashing student loan debt by 20 per cent and increased spending on Medicare.

Two overseas visits are also top of mind, with Mr Albanese set to prioritise trips to Indonesia and the United States early during his second term in office, The Australian has reported.

Mr Albanese told reporters on Sunday that he had already locked in calls with IndonesiaÂ’s President Prabowo Subianto and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following Labor's election win.

“I’ve got some phone conversations this afternoon booked in, including of course President Prabowo of Indonesia, a great friend of Australia, and President Zelensky," Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese also doubled down on continuing to lead a “disciplined, orderly government” in his second term as Prime Minister.

“We have been given the great honour of serving the Australian people and we don’t take it for granted and will work hard each and every day,” Mr Albanese said.

The Prime Minister is expected to rally Labor MPs to Canberra over the coming weeks ahead of an anticipated cabinet reshuffle, although it is not clear when the meeting will take place.

Speaking to Sky News Australia on Monday morning, Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite reaffirmed Labor's focus to get to work on enacting its election commitments.

“We’re not going to be overconfident," he told Sky News host Peter Stefanovic.

"WeÂ’re going to do what we said we would do, and thatÂ’s deliver on the needs that the Australian people have identified around cost of living, around housing and around rebuilding Medicare.

"I think that Anthony Albanese's steady, stable leadership really shone through in this campaign and the policies and plan that we put together really reflected what the Australian people wanted from a governing party."

Defence Minister Richard Marles has flagged naming a new ministry will also be imminent.

"There is a big agenda. We put forward a lot of measures in the context of this election what we promised in relation to increased expenditure on Medicare, what weÂ’re doing in terms of cutting student debtÂ… we will start rolling out of that," Mr Marles told Sky News.

"IÂ’m here in Canberra today, the Prime Minister is in Canberra today, we need to be working out the immediate moment and thatÂ’s getting through the process of selecting and then putting in place the ministry and the governmentÂ… the Prime Minister has made clear he wants us to get on with that."

Labor's election victory comes as the three-way battle emerges for Liberal Party leadership to replace Mr Dutton.

Sky News Australia understands shadow treasurer Angus Taylor, shadow immigration minister Dan Tehan and deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley are the three likely contenders.

The Liberal Party has only secured 39 seats, according to the latest polling figures, although votes are still being counted.

Nocookies | Sky News Australia

This is what Anthony Albanese will prioritise now he's back in office

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make cutting student loan debt his first priority once parliament resumes.

He will also prioritise housing supply and a federal environmental protection agency, once he picks his new ministers.

But he said while his party will govern with an overwhelming majority, he would be open to consultation from all sides of parliament and wouldn't go beyond their agenda.

"We're not getting carried away," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

"If people have good ideas, we're up for hearing them."

HECS debt first order of business

Roughly three million Australians will have 20 per cent of their student debt loans wiped by 1 June 2025 under a Labor pre-election pledge.

Labor said this would wipe out around $16 billion in student debt.

Albanese said this would be his first item on the agenda, "as promised", once his frontbench is sorted.

"I'm very confident we have a mandate for that. We can't have been clearer," he said.

This is what Anthony Albanese will prioritise now he'''s back in office | SBS News

What changes in Australia under an Albanese labor government after election wipeout

Anthony Albanese and Labor have won a historic second-term after an election wipe-out. HereÂ’s all the changes they have proposed to roll out for Aussies over the next term.

Fee-free TAFE, a beer tax freeze, energy rebates and changes to the Medicare levy are among a lengthy list of changes Anthony Albanese has promised to bring to Australians following his thumping election win.

Mr Albanese will lead a majority Labor government in a second term after securing a convincing majority in the federal election.

The campaign was hard fought, with both parties making a slew of promises on cost of living, energy, health, housing and national security in a bid to woo voters.

Now Australia has decided, hereÂ’s all the things Aussies can expect to change, according to LaborÂ’s slew of promises and proposals.

Highlights only

$150 energy rebate: The energy bill rebate will be extended for all households until the end of 2025, saving $150 per household at a cost of $1.8bn.

Home Guarantee Scheme: All first homebuyers to be eligible for 5 per cent deposits, without needing to pay mortgage insurance.

Power bills: $75 rebate for household and small business electricity bills to be extended for another six months.

Solar batteries: Labor will provide up to $4000 in savings per household on solar battery installations. This program will not be means tested.

ENERGY

Cheap solar batteries: Labor will slash the cost of solar battery installations by up to $4000 per household from July 1, as part of its $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries program.

Bill relief: The government announced in the federal budget it would extend the current energy bill rebate until the end of the year, saving households $150.

Community energy upgrades: Labor has pledged $100m for energy upgrades to community facilities, including more efficient lighting and battery storage at sporting fields, community halls and libraries.

Green social housing: Labor will add another $500m to its Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative, worth a total $800m, to cut energy bills and reduce emissions for social housing tenants.

Vehicle emission standards: Legislation has been enacted to establish vehicle emission standards for new vehicles sold in Australia, effective from July 1, 2025, to reduce transportation-related emissions. This will include penalties for manufacturers breaching the standard.

Renewable energy focus: Labor will aim to source 82 per cent of the electricity grid from renewables by 2030, which will be firmed by battery storage and gas. ItÂ’s currently at about 35 per cent.

Critical minerals reserve: Announced in response to Donald Trump’s blanket ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, an elected Labor government would pledge $1.2bn for a National Reserve of Critical Minerals, including lithium and nickel.

National emission reduction target: The government has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, a target that has been legislated to ensure accountability and progress. Labor has also continue to back Australia as a signature to the Paris Climate Agreement which requires participating countries to reach net zero by 2050.

Expansion of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC): An additional $2bn has been allocated to the CEFC to support households, workers, and businesses in adopting renewable energy solutions, making clean energy more accessible and affordable.

Weather radar: Labor has committed to a $10m investment in a new Bureau of Meteorology weather radar for regional Queensland.

https://www.news.com.au/national/fed...ee69ac7bd53c17

'Slow the pace down': PM in no rush to select cabinet

Labor may have expanded its ranks in parliament, but the prime minister says he won't race to lock in a new cabinet.

Following Saturday's landslide victory, attention has turned to the makeup of Anthony Albanese's frontbench for his second term and how his "ambitious" agenda will be implemented.

But the prime minister said he would wait to reshuffle his ministry with some seats still too close to call.

"We're going to try and slow the pace down a little bit over coming days. I'll consult with colleagues about forming a front bench down the track," he told reporters on Monday.

"Obviously there are a number of results that are unclear in electorates, but it's very clear that we will have a substantial majority in the House of Representatives."

Labor has claimed 85 seats in the new parliament, an increase from the 78 it held in the last term, but could claim more than 90.

Members of Labor's left and right factions will meet later this week to determine which of its representatives will be put forward for cabinet positions.

The members will be signed off by the entire Labor caucus afterwards, before the prime minister selects portfolios.

"We are overflowing with talent, that's the truth. We have so many people you could put forward," the prime minister said.

"We have an incredibly talented team on the frontbench but also in the caucus."

The jostling for positions within the new cabinet has already begun, with the prime minister set to choose replacements for positions such as NDIS minister and assistant treasurer, following retirements.

But Mr Albanese declined to comment on speculation Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek could be shifted to the NDIS portfolio.

"If you hear something, unless it comes out of my mouth, it is nonsense," he said.

While a date for when parliament will sit has not been locked in, the first piece of legislation will be laws to cut 20 per cent off HECS debt for university students.

'''Slow the pace down''': PM in no rush to select cabinet | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

Australia federal election: Anthony Albanese wins in landslide



Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor party has won a “landslide” victory in the country’s election, BBC News reports. The broadcaster says: “Albanese’s centre-left government will dramatically increase its majority after the conservative Liberal-National coalition suffered a thumping defeat nationwide.” It reports that in his victory speech, Albanese addressed issues including climate change and energy, adding that he promised to “do more to address climate change and protect the environment”. CNN says that Albanese first took office in the “so-called ‘climate election’ of 2022, with promises to cut Australia’s carbon emissions and reach net-zero by 2050”. France 24 says the election was “shaped by living costs, climate anxiety and US president Donald Trump’s tariffs”. According to the Times, however, climate change was “rarely mentioned” in the campaign. Net Zero Investor says Albanese’s “decisive victory strengthens Australia’s climate policy outlook”. The Guardian says voters have “dealt a significant blow to the Greens, with the minor party on track to lose several MPs”. A second Guardian story says the Greens “blame poor election showing on Liberal vote collapse and targeted attack from rightwing groups”.

In related comment, Guardian Australia’s climate and environment editor Adam Morton writes that the country has “backed a rapid shift to renewable energy”. For the Conversation, Monash University’s Anna Skarbek and Anna Malos say the new government has “five huge climate opportunities”, including a new international climate pledge for 2035, a “firm plan” for net-zero and bidding to host the COP31 climate talks next year. Bloomberg says Albanese’s “next campaign is to secure COP31 climate talks” [in 2026]. For Bloomberg, columnist David Fickling looks at the “implausible plan to replace the government’s renewables-focused climate targets with a switch to nuclear energy” that had been put forward by the losing opposition leader Peter Dutton, who lost his seat. Another Guardian comment, by Flinders University researcher Intifar Chowdhury, says that “Gen Z want the government to address the big structural problems: housing supply, inequality and climate.”

PM reveals date for new cabinet announcement as Liberal leadership race narrows

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will reveal the Labor government's new ministry next Tuesday, the same day the governor-general is set to swear him in for his second term.

Meanwhile, a divided Coalition continues to pick up the pieces after a devastating election loss, with Labor now guaranteed to finish with at least twice the number of seats as the opposition.

The race to lead the Liberal Party has narrowed to just two likely contenders, with Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor supported by the party's dominant conservative faction, while acting leader Sussan Ley is being backed by moderates.

NSW grants vast solar, wind build three times its biggest coal plant

Renewables advocates say Australia is well on track to achieving its clean energy targets after the NSW government granted key approvals to one of the country’s most ambitious wind and solar developments.

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe on Thursday announced grid access rights to 10 huge wind, solar and battery developments in the government’s Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, clearing the path for enough new energy generation to power almost half the state’s homes.

The developments, which surround Dubbo in western NSW, will produce more than 7GW of new renewable energy generation and storage – almost three times the capacity of the state’s largest coal-fired power generator, Eraring.

The announcement came 24 hours after the energy market operator revealed that total renewable generation in Australia’s eastern states had reached 43 per cent in the first three months of 2025 – up from 39 per cent last year.

NSW has one of Australia’s most coal-dependent energy grids, alongside Queensland, and that generation will need to be replaced by clean sources of power if the federal government is to meet its target of 82 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030.

The federal renewables target is part of Australia’s broader plan to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030, to which it has committed as a signatory to the Paris climate agreement.

Sharpe said the projects would avoid more than 10 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

“By unlocking new renewable capacity and enhancing battery storage, we are making our power grid more reliable and putting downward pressure on bills.”

Renewable energy: NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe grants vast solar, wind build in Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone

I build relationships: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to speak to King Charles for the first time since election victory

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he will speak to King Charles later today via phone for the first time since winning a second term in office.

Messages of congratulations have poured in from across the global political landscape for the Prime Minister following Labor's historic federal election win.

Mr Albanese has also spoken directly to leaders, including newly-minted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and United States President Donald Trump.

The Prime Minister told Sky News he had “seven phone calls” scheduled for Thursday, including a call with the monarch.

“I think I've got seven phone calls this afternoon, including from His Majesty King Charles,” Mr Albanese confirmed.

The Prime Minister earlier told Sky News he had developed “positive” relationships with world leaders over his first term.

“I build relationships with people,” he said.

“I'm pretty upfront in how I engage with people, and I've developed that as well on an international level.”

Nocookies | Sky News Australia

Albanese pledges to deliver environment protection agency

Anthony Albanese has pledged to deliver an environment protection agency that can protect the environment while also standing up for jobs and the mining sector.

In an interview with ABC’s 7.30 last night, the prime minister said he would sit down with “sensible people” across the sectors to determine another way forward on the failed environment watchdog.

In the final months of the Albanese government’s first term, a proposed federal EPA was dumped amid a major backlash from Western Australia. The proposed body would have been able to make approval and regulatory decisions and impose beefed-up penalties with Environment Information Australia to provide data, information and analysis.

Albanese promised to deliver a different model in his second term as prime minister. While he didn’t offer any details about the new model, Albanese told 7.30:

“We need to make sure that there is more sensible decision making. That’s something that I’m committed to. It’s something as well that conservation groups want to see where a project clearly doesn’t stack up. There should be an easier way to make decisions.”

Asked about whether the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, had done a good job with creating the initial model, Albanese deflected to blame the Senate.

“She was dealing with a Senate that was a Senate of blockers, whether it be the Greens or the Coalition, not wanting to look for solutions, looking to play politics.”

Plibersek had struck a deal in writing with both the Greens and the independent senator David Pocock on supporting the nature positive legislation before Albanese vetoed it hours later in a private meeting with Adam Bandt and Sarah Hanson-Young.

Plibersek is expected to be moved out of the environment portfolio after the caucus meets on Friday.

Australia news | The Guardian

‘What a room!’ PM addresses Labor caucus

Prime minister Anthony Albanese is addressing caucus, welcoming new Labor MPs to Canberra and urging that “we seek power in order to deliver for the people”:

What a room! For those of you who are new, welcome … This is where decisions are made that make a difference to the country. You need to be in government to make a difference and I have spoken in this room now for three years, but for three years in the other room as well. As the leader of the Labor party, it is an incredible honour for me … As Australia’s 31st prime minister, that is an incredible honour.

We don’t seek power for its own sake. Not to decide who is in what part of the building. We seek power in order to deliver for the people who need Labor to be in government. And to develop a better nation. That is our objective, each and every day.

The Guardian

Albanese to address buoyant Labor caucus in Canberra

Anthony Albanese will address a caucus meeting of his new MPs in Canberra today after his party’s landslide win, Australian Associated Press reports.

A record number of women will be taking their seats in parliament, with women to outnumber men in the Labor party room.

At least 46 seats will be held by women in the Labor government out of a total of 150 in the House of Representatives.

More than a dozen new MPs will join the ranks after Labor increased its seats from 77 to at least 90 as the count continues.

Australian National University political historian Frank Bongiorno said Labor hadn’t had a victory this size since 1943:

It’s a remarkable opportunity for the government to craft a legacy, which could extend even beyond this term.

Governments don’t normally extend their majorities … you normally win your first election reasonably comfortably, and then you begin burning political capital straight away in that first term, and then often have to scrape a win the second time round.

But the hard work starts now for Albanese after his big win so we’ve been looking at his to-do list, including forming a new cabinet, cutting student debt, delivering an environmental protection agency – and getting married.

The scale of the success has taken even senior Labor ministers by surprise, lending to a buoyant feeling among the party’s members.

The Guardian

Re-elected Australia PM Albanese to visit Indonesia first in 'signal' to region

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday he will travel to Indonesia next week as a "signal" of the importance Canberra places in the region in his first overseas visit since Saturday's election victory.

"We have no more important relationship than Indonesia just to our north," Albanese said in a television interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Albanese said he will travel to Indonesia on Wednesday, the day after his government is sworn into office. Albanese was re-elected and his centre-left Labor party increased its majority in parliament in the poll.

Indonesia will grow to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, and Australia has an important defence and security relationship with Jakarta, he said.

The visit will be "a signal to our region of the importance we place on this region," he added.

During the election campaign Indonesia dismissed reports that Russia had requested to base military aircraft in Papua, about 1,200 km (750 miles) north of the Australian city of Darwin, where a U.S. Marine Corps rotational force is based for six months of the year.

reuters.com