Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he wants an economy that works for the people. (File)
Sydney:
New Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that Australia, facing significant economic headwinds, had turned its attention to internal affairs after the first few days in office, dominated by international security.
“I want an economy that works for the people, not the other way around,” Albanese told ABC Television.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday described the inherited financial situation as “terrible”, warning that the family budget would be under pressure as interest rates rise to cope with rising inflation.
Albany was sworn in as prime minister on Monday to attend a meeting of the Quad Security Grouping in Japan. China sees the quad, which includes the United States, India and Japan, as an attempt to push back against its growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Albanians have blamed the previous government, led by Scott Morrison, for “dropping the ball” into the Pacific, where China is seeking security and trade deals with several Pacific states.
On Thursday, Albany sent his foreign minister, Penny Wong, to Fiji.
Votes for Saturday’s election are still being counted, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which is two seats lower than the 76-majority majority in the lower house of the Prime Minister’s Center-Left Labor Party’s 151 seats, with five seats very close, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Morrison, who stepped down after the Liberal Party’s worst election showdown, has vowed to support his successor.
“I’m leaving with gratitude, not remorse,” he told radio station 2GB in his first interview since losing the election.
Outgoing Defense Minister Peter Dutton, a former Queensland policeman, was becoming a favorite to lead the Liberals.
Albanese criticizes Tania Plibersek’s remarks for comparing Dutton to Harry Potter villain Voldemort, suggesting she be the Minister of Women and Education in the new government. Plibersek apologized for his comments.
“Let’s talk about policy differences … I want to change the way politics works,” Albanian told Channel Seven.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and was published from a syndicated feed.)
