In the space of 24 hours this week, Anthony Albanese invoked four of Labor’s greatest prime ministers and one of the Liberal Party’s best, as he sought to define the attributes he would bring to the job.
, Albanese mentioned Ben Chifley as he spoke of his plans to “build back stronger” after the pandemic. “He brokered reforms that yielded benefits for all parties – not just better wages for workers, but stronger profits for businesses, along with the introduction of landmark reforms adding to the social dividend, such as Medicare and universal superannuation.Albanese aimed to reassure the audience, which included many of the nation’s leading business figures, that he was no Bill Shorten, in that he would not demonise business as “the top end of town”.
To establish a beachhead, Labor decided to cook up a faux WorkChoices-style fear campaign and fight the bill.Albanese, then a putative leadership contender, pointedly distanced himself from Shorten by challenging his party’s toxic relationship with business and saying the best Labor governments worked with all interest groups for the good of the nation, rather than sow discord.
Although Albanese needed to reinforce the message that he valued business, there were pitfalls to the overt comparisons. Howard pointed out, and he was not the only one to make the point, that defining yourself through the deeds of others underscored a lack of self-belief and confidence.Secondly, while there was hostility towards Shorten from the business sector, there remains a wariness about Albanese. Not against him per se.
for new major projects, and introducing criminal charges and penalties for wage theft and underpayment.There were months of meetings, during which the ACTU reached agreement with the Business Council of Australia on some changes. Other business groups were opposed.
“We must rediscover the spirit of consensus” … when I am PM. Until then, I’ll continue to oppose & complain. 🥴
Ireland Ireland Latest News, Ireland Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: FinancialReview - 🏆 2. / 90 Read more »