When Anthony Albanese’s ill-fated Voice to Parliament referendum spluttered out little more than 18 months ago, many predicted the humiliating defeat would be the Prime Minister’s enduring legacy and ultimate undoing. 

So it was with a sense of defiance that the Labor leader launched into an acknowledgement of country within moments of taking the stage to give his victory speech after his party surged to a landslide victory in Saturday’s federal election. 

‘Serving as your Prime Minister is the greatest honour of my life and it is with a deep sense of humility and a profound sense of responsibility that the first thing that I do tonight is to say thank you to the people of Australia for the chance to continue to serve the best nation on Earth,’ he began before pausing ever-so-slight for effect.

‘And… I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet,’ he continued to ferocious cheers.

‘And I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging today and every day.’

As the newly returned prime minister lapped up the resounding applause at Labor’s Sydney headquarters, there was a sense Mr Albanese viewed the electoral triumph as a type of reconciliation – for both his party and for Indigenous Australians. 

After all, much of the final week of the federal election campaign had been dominated by a divisive culture war over the controversial ritual – one he had been intent to win. 

Indeed, Mr Albanese began one of his final election pitches, while addressing the National Press Club on Wednesday, by making a similar acknowledgement, just days after booing and jeering surrounding a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony marred an Anzac Day dawn service last Friday. 

Many predicted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's political career would go the way of his ill-fated Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum - only for his to oversee a historic election victory at the weekend

Many predicted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s political career would go the way of his ill-fated Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum – only for his to oversee a historic election victory at the weekend 

Labor Senator Penny Wong welcomes Mr Albanese to the stage on Saturday night

Labor Senator Penny Wong welcomes Mr Albanese to the stage on Saturday night

And Senator Penny Wong had conspicuously avoided offering a full acknowledgement while welcoming Albanese to the stage only moments earlier, instead opting for a trimmed down version. 

‘Thank you, friends. Thank you, all. Thank you for believing in Labor,’ Wong said. 

‘Thank you for believing in the power of this great nation, the power in our 26 million people from more than 300 ancestries and and from the oldest continuing civilisation on the planet.

‘And I acknowledge the traditional owners. Friends, friends, we love this country.’

But this was the Prime Minister’s moment – and he wasn’t going to let it slip away. 

‘Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values,’ he continued.

‘For fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all., for the strength to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need.

‘And Australians have voted for a future that holds true to these values, a future built on everything that brings us together as Australians and everything that sets our nation apart from the world.

The party faithful gather in Labor's Sydney headquarters for the Prime Minister's victory speech

The party faithful gather in Labor’s Sydney headquarters for the Prime Minister’s victory speech

Mr Albanese was emotional... jocular... and jubilant

Mr Albanese was at times emotional, jocular and jubilant throughout his speech

‘Let us all reflect on what we have in common because no matter who you voted for, no matter where you live, no matter how you worship or who you love…

‘Whether you belong to a culture that has known and cared for, this great continent for 65,000 years, or you have chosen our nation as your home and enriched our society with your contribution…

‘We are all Australians – so let all of us work together to build our national unity on the enduring foundations of fairness, equality and respect for one another.’

Mr Albanese was at some times jubilant and at others almost overcome with emotion as he rattled off his party’s pledges to the nation’s voters – and gracious in victory. 

He admonished his own exuberant supporters for jeering when he name-checked the vanquished Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, who lost not only the election but also the Brisbane seat he had held for almost a quarter of a century to Labor candidate Ali France. The PM refused to continue in the face of their boos. 

‘No, no – what we do in Australia is we treat people with respect,’ he told the party faithful, only continuing when the scoffing had ceased. 

‘I thank Peter for his generous words at the end of what has been a very hard fought campaign, and I want to take this opportunity to wish Peter and [his wife] Kirrily and their family all the very best for their future.’

He went on to offer a ‘solemn pledge’ to invest in  young Australians, look after old Australians, and build a better society – and strong economy – for all Australians. 

Mr Albanese celebrates with his fiancée Jodie Haydon and son Nathan

Mr Albanese celebrates with his fiancée Jodie Haydon and son Nathan

And, of course, he took the time to acknowledge his own heritage, growing up in a housing commission townhouse in Sydney’s inner-west, and the people in his life: past, present and emerging. 

‘I was raised to be an optimist,’ Mr Albanese said. 

‘My mum had a hard life and we struggled financially, but she taught me to always be positive and  see the best in people.

‘When it comes to Australia’s future, all of us have so much reason to be optimistic.

‘Thank you…to my son, Nathan…he’s growing into a fine young man, who I am just so proud of,’ he continued, tearing up.

‘And to my fiancée, Jodie Hayden… who probably wasn’t expecting for this to be in your life half a dozen years ago. 

‘I am so grateful for your support, your friendship and your love. 

‘You make me so happy, which matters. 

‘You have my heart. I love you and I look forward to living our lives together.

The Prime Minister locks lips with his fiancée and says she has his heart - forever

The Prime Minister locks lips with his fiancée and says she has his heart – forever

‘Every Australian who wants a fair go at work, fair wages, fair wages for their work and the right to disconnect when they’re done with work. 

‘Every Australian who deserves the security of a roof over their head, or dreams of owning their own home.

‘I want to thank the people of [my seat of] Grayndler, most of whom are here tonight.

‘The people of Grayndler did me an incredible honour in choosing me as their representative, 29 years and ten elections ago. 

‘I’ve lived in this community in the inner-west my whole life, and it’s an incredible privilege to serve a community that you love. 

‘And I do love it.’ 

Of course, despite of all his good graces and best intentions, this was after all a victory speech after a grueling five-week election campaign that saw Mr Albanese clock up more than 40,000km politicking around the country.

The defeated Coalition were not going to escape without at least a few veiled barbs. 

And when they finally came, Mr Albanese delivered them with a wry smile and cutting jibe about a perceived invasion of US-style politics in Australia. 

‘My fellow Australians have chosen the Australian Labor Party as their government, and our government will choose the Australian way because we are proud of who we are and all that we have built together in this country,’ he said. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers his victory speech after winning the election while his fiancée and son proudly watch on

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers his victory speech after winning the election while his fiancée and son proudly watch on

‘We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else. 

‘We do not seek our inspiration overseas, we find it right here in our values and in our people.’

And with that, he said, it was time to stop talking; there was work to be done.   

‘Tomorrow we dedicate ourselves to your service,’ Mr Albanese said. 

‘We renew the great responsibility and the opportunity of government, and with pride and purpose, optimism and determination, with faith in the fair go and faith in each other, we return to the work of building Australia’s future.’

But that’s tomorrow.   

Tonight though? Tonight, the Prime Minister celebrates a victory few saw coming in the wake of his bungled referendum not so long ago. 

That is all forgotten now – he is on top once more, with a majority government and already a vision for a third term in office. 

Welcome to Albo Country. 

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