Morrison of the right-wing conservative coalition is replaced by Albanese as prime minister.
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(Foto: Getty Images)
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In addition to climate policy, Albanese made social issues the focus of his campaign. He lamented the sharp rise in the cost of living and a drop in real wages as a result of the high inflation rate. At 5.1 percent, it was the highest level in Australia for more than two decades.
Albanese called for inflation compensation for all minimum wage earners, who currently receive the equivalent of 13.50 euros per hour. He also stressed his own humble origins – and reiterated this in his victory speech: “It says a lot about our great country that a son of a single mother raised in council housing can stand before you as Australia’s Prime Minister today.”
Meeting with Joe Biden on Tuesday
Albanian is a graduate economist and the first member of his family with a university degree. The 59-year-old has been a member of Australia’s parliament for more than a quarter of a century. He was Secretary of State for Infrastructure and Transport under Labor Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
Last year he suffered serious injuries in a car accident and, according to his own statements, barely survived. Albanese described the incident as a trigger for his attempt to live a healthier life – he has since lost 18 kilos. He also changed his public appearance in other ways: he bought tailored suits and modern glasses. His opponent Morrison accused him of pretending to be a different person.
Albanese does not have much time to change roles from opposition leader to head of government. The Labor chief expects to be sworn in as the new prime minister as early as Monday.
He then wants to attend a summit meeting with US President Joe Biden, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tokyo on Tuesday. At the meeting of the so-called Quad Group, he wanted to make it clear on the international stage that Australia’s policy would change, Albanese said, “especially with regard to climate change”.
Australia’s position in relation to China under the new prime minister is also being closely observed. Relations between the two countries had deteriorated sharply under Morrison. In terms of the substance of China policy, Labor hardly differs from the previous government, commented Patrick Köllner, director of the Hamburg Giga Institute for Asian Studies. “But the tone could be different.” The change of government basically offers the potential for an improvement in bilateral relations.
More: China phobia in the election campaign – Australia’s conservatives warn of a war
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