Anthony Albanese is coming under pressure from different sections of society to change his approach to governing and also being criticised about the lack of imagination in his approach to foreign affairs.

The political media pundits have pontificated long and loud about the federal election, but the majority has little imagination about charting new policy directions for an independent Australia. As a second term prime minister with a substantial majority, Anthony Albanese has an historic opportunity to establish himself as a leader long remembered for setting a high standard in diplomacy and peacekeeping.

Australia does not belong in an European Coalition of the Willing nor does our nation need to help old allies plan new wars. Our re-endorsed leader inherits the right to challenge outdated ideas about Australia’s place in the world and now needs to urgently reinvigorate foreign and defence policy. Our unique national interest is reflected in a vibrant multicultural community which rejects the mindset and policies of those allies, remaining locked in dangerous nationalism.

Israeli genocide in Gaza is no longer a question that can be avoided by the prime minister or the foreign minister. Adam Bandt has lost his seat, but he, the Greens and other humanitarians maintain the respect of all those Australians who expect their leaders to condemn the Netanyahu regime and take substantive action towards ending atrocities against civilian populations. It is understandable that no one in government wants to be accused of complicity with genocide, but clear policy and action by the Australian Government is long overdue.

How much longer can this administration pretend that we have any relationship with a government whose leader blatantly ignores international law and is regarded by a majority of countries as a war criminal ?

The foreign minister may have valiantly persevered with repeated statements about a ceasefire and two-state solution, but enough is enough and the increased rate of death and destruction must not be accepted any longer by the Australian Government. This second term government must face its responsibility and act decisively to show its full support for the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the international Criminal Court.

Australians understand that the factions still control ministerial appointments and because of the high standard of Labor representation, the majority are appointed with merit, but there are exceptions where the prime minister may need to review portfolios in coming months to ensure the Australian people’s trust in a second Labor Government is fully maintained.

Richard Marles may well be an enthusiastic minister for the Department of Defence and the international arms industry, but those with expertise in the defence of Australia are critical of his ready compliance with American and British defence interests rather than protecting those of Australia. Many of us would be impressed if a future female defence minister were encouraged to accept a fresh approach to Australian defence priorities which would start with an independent review of AUKUS and examine national self-defence systems. There will also be pressure from within the dominant female caucus and indeed within the community itself for the position of deputy prime minister to be a woman.

Looking at Australian politics after the 2025 election, the future is female and so this should mean not only will more leadership positions be made available to women, but policy too will reflect a shift towards greater equity as women insist old ideas are discarded. This will be a refreshing change for both our national parliament and government so is likely to give the current administration some considerable longevity.

In domestic policy, the Albanese Government has only just started to tackle the high levels of inequality that have been allowed to develop over several decades. “We will have no one left behind” is a fine ideal, but it will take considerable policy reassessment and commitment to create a genuinely more equal Australian society. A living wage for those on Newstart is an absolute priority. A second focus on the social services agenda is an urgent reassessment of privatisation of childcare, disability and aged care where Australia’s most vulnerable may have to rely on discredited “for profit_"_ service delivery.

Australians have shown they value those policies the Albanese Government has implemented in the last three years, and they want to see an expanded agenda in the government’s second term. However, we need to see the prime minister and foreign minister immediately condemn the Netanyahu regime and impose diplomatic sanctions to demonstrate Australians’ horror at the human catastrophe Israel has created. Australia’s middle power diplomacy must always respond to international law and humanitarianism. As our prime minister looks forward to championing new reforms, he must clearly demonstrate he will never allow us to be judged as a nation that can be influenced by extremism.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.