Labor leader-elect Anthony Albanese will this week become the official Opposition Leader after an uncontested leadership ballot.
Key points:
- Anthony Albanese was the only person to nominate to become Labor leader
- The caucus will meet in Canberra later this week to elect a new deputy
- Mr Albanese will now select a frontbench to lead Labor in Opposition
Federal Caucus will meet later this week in Canberra to confirm the long-term frontbencher as its new leader and decide who will serve as his deputy.
At least four other candidates considered a tilt for Labor’s leadership, but none officially put themselves forward when nominations closed at 10:00am.
Mr Albanese, on Twitter, thanked his Labor colleagues and the party’s members for supporting him.
“Together we can return our great party to government in three years [sic] time,” he tweeted.
Speaking for the first time as leader, he vowed to would be a “straight” talker and would seek to win back Labor voters.
“I want to reach out also to those who didn’t support Labor last Saturday,” he said.
“Whether they’re working people, whether they’re small and family businesses, whether they’re young or old, regardless of where they live.
“One in four Australians I note didn’t vote for either of the potential governments on Saturday — either the Coalition or Labor.”
Deputy leader Tanya Plibersek considered running for the top job but opted against it, saying “now is not my time”.
She is unlikely to remain as the deputy because she sits in the same left faction as Mr Albanese and has a neighbouring electorate to him in Sydney.
Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen announced his candidacy only to withdraw it the next day after it became clear he would not be able to win.