Anthony Albanese

In relation to our article A Timid PM, Frozen in the glare of the Keating headlights

David Hind, Neutral Bay, Aug 16, 2024

Here we go again. It is unrelenting. This time Paddy Gourley has a go at Anthony Albanese, again without also listing any of the considerable achievements of this government, especially compared to its recent predecessors, a low bar I admit.

Four people were initially advised of AUKUS, it then went to cabinet and then to the Labor caucus before being supported. In the more than two years since, there has been plenty of opportunity for full advice and to pause and review. On balance AUKUS is proceeding and with a high level of community support.

Albanese improved the stage 3 tax cuts and all economists accept that Australia’s personal income tax take is too high and should be balanced by reducing concessions and increasing indirect taxes. Went well for Labor in the 2019 election! Not.

Three successive Coalition Prime Ministers had rejected the Voice and the Coalition voter base support was well below 30%. The Coalition never said what they would support. Dutton was ever going to support it!? Albanese met with Dutton on many occasions attempting to secure bipartisan support.

Keating’s advocacy ability is to be the only acceptable benchmark? Good luck.