Labor returned to power after nine years in opposition as an unprecedented wave of support for the Greens and climate-focused Independents, mostly women, helped dislodge the Tory coalition in Saturday’s general election.
“I look forward to leading a government that will make Australians proud, a government that does not seek to divide, that does not seek to divide but seeks to bring people together,” Mr Albanese said in his first press briefing. after taking office as Prime Minister.
Although the votes are still being counted and the composition of the government has not yet been finalized, Mr. Albanese was sworn in by Governor-General David Hurley at a ceremony in the nation’s capital, Canberra, to to be able to attend a meeting of the security group “Quad” Tokyo on Tuesday.
India, the United States, Japan and Australia are members of the Quadrilateral, an informal group that Washington has promoted to serve as a potential bulwark against China’s growing political, commercial and military activity in the Indo region. -Peaceful.
Mr Albanese said the country’s relations with China will remain “difficult” ahead of the summit with US President Joe Biden and the Prime Ministers of Japan and India.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles and three key ministers – Penny Wong in foreign affairs, Jim Chalmers as treasurer and Katy Gallagher in finance – were also sworn in, with Ms Wong set to join Mr Albanese on the trip to the Quad.
CLASS CARD OPEN
The Labor campaign heavily featured Mr Albanese’s references to the working class – a boy raised in public accommodation by a single mother on a disability pension – and his image as a pragmatic unifier.
The centre-left Labor party leads in 76 of the lower house’s 151 seats, with some races too close to determine, according to the Australian Electoral Commission. Independents or the Green party looked set to win more than a dozen seats as the counting of mail-in votes continued.
So-called “teal independents” campaigning in wealthy Liberal-held seats on a platform of climate, integrity and equality, could still have significant influence.
Independent Monique Ryan said the climate was the most important issue for readers in her Kooyong Melbourne headquarters, which outgoing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg formally conceded on Monday.
“We listened to what people wanted, we listened to their values and desires, and we crafted a platform that reflects them,” Ms. Ryan said.
Albanese said he hoped Labor would get enough seats to govern alone, but added that he had made deals with some independents not to support no-confidence motions against his government.
After returning from Japan, Mr Albanese said he would move quickly to implement his election promises, including the creation of a national anti-corruption commission and a 15 billion Australian dollar manufacturing fund (10, $6 billion) to diversify the country’s economy.
The swearing-in of the entire minister will take place on June 1, he said.
Australian financial markets offered a muted reaction to Monday’s election verdict, with the outcome already factored in and no drastic change in economic direction expected.
“Our economic forecast and our call on the (Reserve Bank of Australia) are unchanged despite the change in national leadership,” said economists at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. ($1 = 1.4108 Australian dollars)