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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has celebrated a successful first year in office, as his government prepares to debate its landmark Voice to Parliament legislation this week.
He addressed reporters in Hiroshima on Sunday after meeting with international leaders at the G7 summit in Japan, including striking a climate deal with United States President Joe Biden.
Mr Albanese was quite positive about his first year, despite Australians facing competing cost of living pressures due to soaring inflation – at seven per cent – and high energy bills.
“One year ago today I was given the great honour of being elected Australia’s 31st Prime Minister,” Mr Albanese said.
“I want to sincerely thank the Australian people for the opportunity that I’ve had to represent Australia and lead the Australian government.
“I said I’d lead a government with a sense of purpose and I believe that we have.
“We’ve set out to do what we said we would. To fulfil our promise and commitments that we gave to the Australian people.”
Acting prime minister Richard Marles said he was “proud” that the government had delivered cheaper child care, fee-free TAFE, cheaper medicines and action on climate change on the anniversary.
The composition of 47th Parliament has seen the Albanese government forced to negotiate with a wide crossbench of 12 Greens Senators and Independent Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock.
With support from the crossbench, the Albanese government has passed bills like legislating the greenhouse emissions reduction targets of 43 per cent by 2030.
Workplace Minister Tony Burke told Sunday Agenda that the federal government has built a solid “foundation” for future progress.
“We’ve laid a lot of foundation and I’m pretty excited about those… A hell of a lot to do, but we have something to build on,” he said on Sunday morning.
However, Nationals Senator Bridget Mackenzie argued the “backslapping” by Labor was premeditated, given how many Austrlaians were struggling with rising costs.
“I think if you look at how Australians are feeling after that first 12 months there’s not a lot of confidence,” she told Englishheadline Australia.
“On the key metrics of cost of living, taxation… transport and infrastructure, the government has dropped significant support across the community since December.”
Mr Marles revealed on the anniversary that Labor was now turning its focus to the Voice to Parliament referendum facing voters later this year.
“In our next year we seek a momentous change, one that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our Constitution by enshrining a Voice to Parliament,” he said.
“We are determined to be a responsible government that ends division and pursues lasting change. A government for all Australians.”
The Indigenous Voice constitutional alteration is set to be debated in Parliament this week.
