Anthony Albanese has revealed to 7NEWS podcast The Issue when he plans to step down as Prime Minister of Australia. The last prime minister to leave the office on their own terms was Sir Robert Menzies on January 20, 1966. There have been 15 prime ministers since Menzies, all of them removed from the job either by the people, the party room, or by death. Harold Holt died in December 1967.
The current leader, Labor’s Albanese, says he will step down when he “stops growing as a person”. “Then I’ll know it is time to watch the footy every Saturday rather than do this job,” he told The Issue. “This job is an incredible privilege.”
Prime Minister plans to hold election in 2028 and will contest it
The 31st Prime Minister of Australia says he will run again in the 2028 federal election but doesn’t have a plan beyond that. “I’m enjoying this job, but I don’t take it for granted at all,” Albanese said. “I think that is a good thing, the stability that my government has been able to provide.”
Tough budget coming
The Prime Minister has also told 7NEWS that the federal budget on May 12 will be “tough”. It’s already been revealed that 160,000 participants will be removed from the National Disability Insurance Scheme to save taxpayers $15 billion by 2030. And the government appears unlikely to introduce a new 25 per cent tax on gas exports.
“It certainly is a tough budget, and it’s been difficult to frame because of the uncertainty, which is there,” Albanese said. “They’re all important, but this is a particularly critical time. This budget will be locked and loaded much later than would normally be the case. I feel sorry for the people in treasury and finance because they’ll be adjusting them on a daily basis at the moment.”
There has been much speculation that the Albanese Government will tweak two property taxes: the capital gains tax and negative gearing. Albanese promises “nothing we will do will make it tougher” for first home buyers, saying his priority remains housing supply.
Middle East War and Prime Minister’s relationship with President Trump
The Albanese Government won’t send Navy assets to the Strait of Hormuz to help reverse the key shipping route’s closure, instead leaving the task to allies closer to the region. “I think it would be unlikely that would be requested given how close the Europeans are,” Albanese said. “We will always do what we can to make a positive difference.”
The Prime Minister says the United States remains Australia’s “most important security relationship” despite the global chaos the war in Iran has caused, but that won’t stop his government from exploring relationships with other allies. “The United States is a democracy and it’s our most important ally, but they made this decision by themselves or with Israel,” he said. “They didn’t consult us at the time; that’s their right to do so. This isn’t a monogamous relationship between Australia and the United States. Australia is also ... out there dating in our region.”
You can catch more of The Issue on Listnr or watch full episodes on our YouTube channel.
