Home

Federal election 2022: Albanese to invoke Hawke, Curtin at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters breakfast

Headshot of Lanai Scarr
Lanai ScarrThe West Australian
Mark McGowan and Anthony Albanese.
Camera IconMark McGowan and Anthony Albanese. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

Anthony Albanese will on Tuesday declare he will be a prime minister for Western Australia as he invokes the spirit of great Labor leaders John Curtin and Bob Hawke.

Mr Albanese will also use Mark McGowan’s tenure as Premier as an example of how to lead when he addresses The West Australian’s Leadership Matters breakfast.

The Opposition Leader will emphasis manufacturing, women and the economy in outlining his vision for the nation.

“It all begins with our economy. I believe with a better government in Canberra, we can have a better future,” he will say.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“What we saw from Premier McGowan was true character and true leadership. A responsible government that balanced social good and economic need.”

Mr Albanese will also say he wants to “create an economy where we have high-wage jobs and we have economic growth without increasing inflation”.

“We need to help families with rising costs, and make sure their incomes are going up,” he will say.

Mr Albanese will reiterate his pledge to host an employment summit between unions and employers as one of his first acts in government — similar to the Hawke government’s Accord deal, which reduced wage demands to minimise inflation.

“We will commission a white paper on the labour market to set out a plan for how we will promote secure work and higher wages,” he will say.

“Hawke and Keating invented the Labor model for inclusive economic growth. A uniquely Australian model of economic reform that made sure social dividends for the public good were at the heart of growth.”

Mr Albanese will say WA’s natural resources will also help “to fuel the new energy economies of the 21st century, creating regional and metropolitan jobs in the process”.

“As electric vehicles, energy storage systems and smart devices become more mainstream, the global demand for lithium batteries will explode,” he will say.

“WA is ready to rise to that challenge.

“WA has the opportunity to become a lithium valley. My Labor team stands ready to back you.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails