100 days of Labor: Albanese sets out his government’s key priorities for an Australian ‘culture change’

PM to focus on women, childcare, energy and skills in major speech to the National Press Club as he calls for post-pandemic ‘reform and renewal’

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will use a landmark speech on Monday to pledge support for a “culture change” to improve conditions for working women as part of a shift in the government’s focus to a reform agenda.

In a speech to mark 100 days since the 21 May election, Albanese will tell the National Press Club that while the government is still in the “recovery” phase in the wake of the pandemic, he wants to move to “reform and renewal” over the course of the next term.

“After a wasted decade, we are not wasting a day,” Albanese will say, according to excerpts of his draft speech.

“Government has a responsibility to plan for the future, to build for the long-term, to implement the reforms that arm people with every chance to fulfil their potential.

“Not change for the sake of it, reforms that help people lead better lives.”

Albanese lists the government’s election platform of cleaner and cheaper energy, better skills and training, cheaper childcare and a future made in Australia as his key priorities.

Ahead of this week’s jobs and skills summit, Albanese has also backed calls for a revival of the enterprise bargaining system, while saying the key outcome he wants from the two-day forum is increased cooperation.

“The biggest single outcome I’m hoping for is the beginning of a new culture of cooperation – a renewed understanding between unions and industry and small business and government and community groups … that building a stronger, fairer and more productive economy is our shared responsibility – and our common interest.”

He will predict that while the system would not be immediately fixed as a result of the summit, he was confident of securing concrete outcomes while also using the forum to develop the government’s forthcoming employment white paper.

“None of us imagine that a two-day summit will entirely fix wages and job security – or any of the other urgent economic challenges facing the country,” Albanese will says.

“But for the first time in a long time, I believe we will be moving to agreement on how to solve these problems – rather than arguing over who is to blame for them.”

Flagging support for the Australian Council of Trade Union’s push to allow industry-wide bargaining – which the ACTU argues is particularly needed for female-dominated industries – Albanese said he wanted to see “serious and rapid improvement” in economic equality for women.

“This is going to take more than legislative change, we need a culture change too: a revitalising of bargaining and negotiation and give-and-take, new leadership on respect and safety and fairness for working women.”

“This is why we’re bringing employers and employees to the table this week in Canberra, to elevate and accelerate these conversations,” he says.

He says that since the election there has been a focus on clearing away “the mess and chaos” of the former government, criticising the Coalition for its focus on short term “political stitch-ups”, rather than on long-term solutions.

After last week establishing an inquiry into the secret portfolios of the former prime minister, Scott Morrison, Albanese will indicate his desire to shift gears, saying he wants to move beyond reacting to events.

“Governing can’t just be an exercise in getting through – to the end of the day, to the other side of the story, to the next election,” he says.

“Whether it’s wages or skills, national security or energy, we will act with urgency when urgency is required.

“But we will never take our eyes off the big prize, the future, the chance to secure a new generation of prosperity and fairness for all Australians.”

On Sunday, the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said the government was “realistic” about the areas of consensus that could be reached between business and unions.

“We know that people have a range of views, and we’re not looking for unanimity. We’re just looking for those areas of broad common ground so that we can move forward together,” he told Sky News.

Contributor

Sarah Martin

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Labor faces employer revolt over changes to multi-employer pay deals in IR bill
Adding to pressure on Albanese government, unions are warning of risk to manufacturing jobs from sky-rocketing gas prices

Paul Karp

20, Oct, 2022 @9:13 AM

Article image
Albanese hits back at business groups’ threats to run anti-industrial relations bill ad campaign
Prime minister says the millions of dollars that would pay for the campaign could be used by companies to ‘pay workers better’

Daniel Hurst and Paul Karp

04, Nov, 2022 @3:57 AM

Article image
Anthony Albanese pledges to lower cost of PBS medicines and boost EVs at Labor campaign launch
Opposition leader also vows to make gender equity an objective of the Fair Work Act if ALP wins federal election on 21 May

Katharine Murphy Political editor in Perth

01, May, 2022 @4:01 AM

Article image
Labor may accelerate industrial relations reforms to ‘get wages moving’, Anthony Albanese says
Prime minister tells National Press Club government could ‘potentially take further action’ if no consensus reached at jobs and skills summit

Paul Karp

29, Aug, 2022 @5:37 AM

Article image
Australian Covid isolation period cut to five days for people without symptoms
Changes apply from 9 September with Anthony Albanese confirming reduced pandemic leave payments will continue for those in self-quarantine

Sarah Martin Chief political correspondent

31, Aug, 2022 @8:07 AM

Article image
Malcolm Turnbull says Labor has failed to answer if Aukus deal compromises Australian sovereignty
Former PM says if operation of nuclear subs depends on US then that is ‘a momentous change which has not been acknowledged’

Katharine Murphy and Daniel Hurst

02, Feb, 2023 @9:45 AM

Article image
Albanese says cost of living concerns will be ‘front and centre’ of cabinet meeting
Inflation, energy prices and wages growth on Labor’s agenda as pressure builds to provide relief to low income earners before October budget

Sarah Martin and Paul Karp

08, Jun, 2022 @5:30 PM

Article image
Albanese declares Indigenous voice won’t impact First Nations sovereignty
Speaking ahead of the opening of the parliamentary year, the PM dismisses the notion of having a constitutional convention before the referendum

Katharine Murphy Political editor

05, Feb, 2023 @2:49 AM

Article image
Albanese meeting with Chinese premier heralds potential thaw in diplomatic freeze
Meeting with Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, is first between leaders of Australia and China since 2019

Katharine Murphy Political editor in Phnom Penh

13, Nov, 2022 @2:08 AM

Article image
Labor and Greens senators back four-day work week
Committee members support a suite of policies that would radically adjust Australians’ work-life balance

Paul Karp

09, Mar, 2023 @5:29 AM