PETER VAN ONSELEN: The clear sign Anthony Albanese may be our Prime Minister until 2031… and the big decision he must make

By PETER VAN ONSELEN, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 15:05 BST, 4 May 2025 | Updated: 15:21 BST, 4 May 2025

The federal election result sets Labor up for two more terms in power, all but guaranteeing this government will at least become a three-term administration.

Anthony Albanese’s authority is now such that it is hard to imagine he won’t get the right to contest the election in three years’ time, if he decides 65 years of age isn’t too old to do so.

If that happens, and indeed Albo wins a third term, he rises potentially to the lofty ranks of long-term PMs such as Robert Menzies, John Howard and Bob Hawke.

Hawke is the longest serving Labor PM governing from 1983 to 1991 before being rolled in a leadership coup by Paul Keating.

But there is another name amongst the list of long serving PMs, and it’s perhaps the one Albo is more likely to emulate than those above, revered for embracing reforms during their time in office.

That’s former Liberal PM Malcolm Fraser, who governed from 1975-1983, for precisely three terms before being voted out and replaced by Hawke.

Fraser is largely regarded as a ‘do nothing’ PM who presided over rather than took his opportunities to shape the nation. He avoided the necessary economic reforms that were suggested to him. Reforms that were ultimately taken up by Hawke and then Howard in the years to come.

Albo now has a choice: does he decide that length of service is legacy enough? Or does he take his opportunity to do something with the mandate he now has and use the large swathe of seats at his disposal to embrace the reforms Australia needs to lock in future prosperity?

Anthony Albanese ’s authority is now such that it is hard to imagine he won’t get the right to contest the election in three years time, if he decides 65 years of age isn’t too old to do so

Mr Albanese is pictured with his fiancée Jodie Haydon at Bar Italia cafe  in the Sydney inner west of Leichhardt on Sunday morning

That is Albo’s true pathway to greatness, beyond being just an election leader who can spend his way to victory by demonising his political opponent.

Let’s hope for the sake of the nation Albo takes up the challenge. 

The risks that suggest he might not do so is that it is doubtful the PM even holds a candle to the need for structural reforms to areas like tax and the federation.

I’m not even sure the concept of balancing the books and paying down debt are within his political lexicon. 

Sure, Labor delivered two accidental surpluses courtesy of the mining boom in its first term, but the next decade is projected to be defined by deficits.

Not just because of short term economic challenges, but because the budget is structurally in need of repair.

Then there is the question as to whether Albo seeks to define a ‘do something’ legacy in other areas which more naturally fit with his world view.

Perhaps a return to reconciliation and Indigenous rights. He flagged that priority in his victory speech.

Labor fans cheer in jubilation after Anthony Albanese was re-elected Prime Minister on Saturday night

But in the wake of the failed Voice referendum it would be risky, and violate an election pledge not to go there.

Will Albo chance his arm in that space, or on wider social justice issues he long advocated for before becoming a leader more inclined to hold the centre ground.

The Albo legacy is now half written. He is a proven election winner with time on his side in the PM’s chair. 

What remains to be seen is whether or not he does anything meaningful with it.

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PETER VAN ONSELEN: The clear sign Anthony Albanese may be our Prime Minister until 2031… and the big decision he must make

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