The article focuses on an interaction between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Tanya Plibersek at a Labor Party launch event. The event occurred in the context of the upcoming 2025 federal election.
The exchange involved seemingly polite but subtly tense remarks. Plibersek's introductory comments highlighted Albanese's debate win, and Albanese's response acknowledged Plibersek's role as local member for Sydney while emphasizing her good fortune.
The article hints at underlying tension, referencing a past instance where Albanese overruled Plibersek's proposed environmental legislation. This suggests potential policy disagreements within the Labor Party.
Despite the apparent tension, Plibersek's significant campaign trail activity is mentioned, indicating her continued effort to support the party.
The day before, she was present as the local member for Sydney as Albanese opened a restaurant at Paddy’s Market. While developers and other Labor figures spoke at the official launch event before the prime minister’s keynote address, Plibersek made just a few introductory remarks about her many memories of the market before welcoming people to the function.
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“It’s particularly a pleasure to be here with so many special guests today,” she said. “The premier of course, the lord mayor, and most particularly the prime minister, coming off a great win last night in the debate. We’re all looking forward to a great win on May the 3rd as well, prime minister.”
Albanese then thanked Plibersek: “In your capacity as the local member for Sydney. What a lucky person you are to represent this city, of this great global centre of Australia.”
As environment minister, Plibersek was overruled by the prime minister last November when he killed off planned legislation for an environment protection agency by ruling out any concessions to the Greens, after pressure from WA Premier Roger Cook.
Despite this, Plibersek has proved to be popular on the campaign trail, saying she had visited more than three seats a week since the start of the year.
“I think since January, I’ve been to about 47 seats at last count,” Plibersek told Sky News on Thursday. “I’m losing count a little bit.”
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