The 2022 federal election was called by Morrison on 10 April 2022, when he visited the Governor-General advising the latter to prorogue Parliament and dissolve the House of Representatives. The Governor-General accepted Morrison's recommendations, as is the custom in Australia's Westminster system of government.[3][4] The Parliament was then prorogued and the House of Representatives dissolved the next morning.
The Labor election campaign focused on aged care in Australia, the introduction of a National Anti-Corruption Commission, childcare subsidies, climate change, a similar Defence budget to the Coalition but with a Defence Posture Review into resources and strategy, education, electric vehicles, farming, health, housing, infrastructure, a review of the NDIS, as well as measures to help older Australians.[5]
The election was held on 21 May 2022.[6] As of 10:00PM AEST on election night, the Labor Party (led by Anthony Albanese) was projected to form a government by ABC News, although it was not clear whether they would have a majority or a minority.[7] Notable outcomes included the popularity of community independents in several inner-city seats, costing Treasurer and Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg his seat; a particularly sizable swing from the Coalition to Labor in Western Australia; and notably strong support for the Australian Greens in some inner-city Brisbane seats.
After the bulk of the votes had been counted and a Labor victory appeared inevitable, Morrison conceded the election, and then announced his intention to resign as the Liberal Party leader.[8] The Coalition's loss was attributed to Morrison's unpopularity with voters and the popularity of centrist "teal independents" in certain inner-city electorates.[9][10] Albanese, who also made history as the first Italian-Australian to secure the position of Prime Minister,[11] was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Australia on 23 May 2022.[12]
2023 by-election
On 9 February 2023, former Liberal Party cabinet minister Alan Tudge resigned from Parliament, triggering a by-election in his seat of Aston.[13] In an unexpected result, Labor's Mary Doyle won the by-election, marking the first time a governing party won a by-election against the opposition since 1920.[14] As a result of this, Albanese's government increased their majority in the House of Representatives to 78 of 151 seats.
Although it was not certain on election night that Labor would win a majority, no other party could realistically form a government. Accordingly, two days after the election, Albanese, deputy leader Richard Marles, shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers, and senators Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher were sworn in as an interim five-person ministry. The five ministers divided all portfolios between them until the full ministry was determined. According to Australia's ABC News, the governor-general David Hurley would not have sworn in Albanese without assurances that Labor could provide stable government, as well as legal advice that this was the proper course of action. Albanese confirmed that he secured confidence and supply from the crossbench in the event that he was not able to form majority government.[15]
Ministry
Albanese announced the composition of his full Ministry on 31 May 2022. Given that frontbenchers Kristina Keneally and Terri Butler were not re-elected, Murray Watt and Clare O’Neil were chosen by the Labor caucus to replace them in the cabinet. With 19 female frontbenchers and 10 female cabinet ministers, it became the most gender-equal ministry in Australian history.[16] The full ministry was sworn in by Governor-GeneralDavid Hurley on 1 June 2022.[17][18]
Jillian Segal AO: Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. Appointed in July 2024, Ms. Segal has a long history of advocacy for Jewish communities and combating antisemitism.[30][31]
Aftab Malik: Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. Appointed in October 2024, Mr. Malik is a prominent Muslim leader and advocate for interfaith dialogue.[32][33]
The Albanese government commenced amidst the continuation of the global surge in inflation, which began in 2021. The Australian inflation rate peaked at 7.5% at the end of 2022: a 32-year high. By November 2023, the Reserve Bank of Australia had raised interest rates to 4.35%, a 12-year high.[34]
Tax cuts
On 28 February 2023, the government announced that it would seek to cut tax concessions on superannuation accounts with more than $3 million. It intends to legislate this term for a change to take effect in 2025.[35]
In January 2024, the government announced a restructuring of the stage three tax cuts, to give greater benefits to lower-income earners.[36] The Coalition criticised Albanese and the government for breaking a promise,[36] and initially suggested they would not support the legislation.[37] Opposition leader Peter Dutton called for an election over the change to stage three.[38] The Coalition eventually supported the legislation in both houses.[39]
Budgets
Early in the government's term, Treasurer Chalmers confirmed that the new government would hand down a revised budget in October 2022.[40] In the lead up to the October budget, Chalmers and Gallagher launched an audit to highlight any waste left behind by the previous government.[40] Secretary of the Department of Treasury Steven Kennedy noted that the budget needed to be brought under control and that the tax system needed to be made fit for use.[41]
On 25 October 2022, Chalmers handed down a revised budget — the first under the Albanese government. The budget forecast that inflation would peak at 7.75% at the end of the year. The budget also took steps to fund the government's election promises largely by using funding earmarked by the former government which had not yet been spent.[42]
In May 2023, Chalmers handed down the Albanese government's second budget. The budget delivered a surplus of $22.1 billion (equivalent to 0.9% of Australia's GDP), which was well above the government's forecasted surplus of $4.3 billion; this was Australia's first budget surplus in 15 years, and the largest ever Australian budget surplus.[43][44][45][46][47][48]
In May 2024, Chalmers handed down the government's third budget. This budget delivered a surplus of $9.3 billion, making it the first consecutive surplus in an Australian federal budget since 2007–08.[49][50]
'Future Made in Australia' manufacturing policy
In April 2024, Prime Minister Albanese announced a major industrial policy called 'Future Made in Australia', which seeks to promote Australian manufacturing in sustainable energy.[51]
As part of the policy, the government's third budget contained $22.7 billion over a decade in support of domestic green hydroden, solar-panel manufacturing, and mining of critical minerals.[52] This includes a $1 billion 'Solar Sunshot' program to support solar panel manufacturing in Australia,[53] and a $566 million 'Resourcing Australia's Prosperity' initiative for geomapping for mining resources.[54]
In July 2024, the Albanese government introduced legislation to give further effect to the policy,[55][56] which passed the Parliament in November 2024.[57][58]
2026 Australian census
On 30 August 2024, Albanese confirmed during an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne that the 2026 Australian census would include a question relating to sexuality and gender identity, reversing an earlier statement that his government had abandoned the proposal.[59] The following day, Albanese denied that the federal government had revised its policy regarding the inclusion of a gender identity and sexuality question in the upcoming 2026 census.[60] On 8 September, federal treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed that the 2026 census would include questions about questions about sexual orientation and gender.[61]
Cash
On 17 November 2024, the Albanese government confirmed that it would mandate that businesses be required to accept cashpayments for essential items from 2026 to ensure that Australians who rely on cash including during natural disasters or digital outages can continue to make purchases.[62]
Tony Burke was appointed Minister for Employment. On 23 May 2022, Albanese announced that he would summon an employment summit including unions and business leaders. The summit was expected to be held in September 2022. Albanese flagged a number of changes to industrial relations law including criminalising wage theft.[63]
On 27 May 2022, the Prime Minister sent correspondence to the Fair Work Commission confirming that his government would seek to make a submission to the Commission in support of an increase to the minimum wage.[64] Burke announced that a submission had been formally made to the commission on 3 June 2022 and that a ‘deliberate’ policy of lower wages was not the policy of the new government.[65] The Fair Work Commission subsequently announced on 15 June 2022 that the minimum wage would be raised by 5.2%.[66]
The government passed new workplace harassment laws through the Parliament on 28 November 2022. The news laws implement the recommendation of the Respect@Work Report to create a positive duty requiring employers to implement measures to prevent sexual harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation.[67]
On 2 December 2022, the government's Secure Jobs, Better Pay law passed the Parliament. Under the new laws, unions can now negotiate multi-employer pay deals in an effort to secure wage increases across particular sectors such as child care and aged care. The law also aims to close the gender pay gap by prohibiting pay secrecy employment clauses and secures the right of workers to seek flexible working arrangements.[68]
On 13 December 2023, Australian federal and state workplace ministers agreed to ban the use, supply and manufacturing of engineered stone from 1 July 2024 following a Safe Work Australia report which found the rates of silicosis and silica-related diseases had risen substantially particularly among engineered stone workers.[69]
In mid-January 2024, Burke declined to intervene in an industrial dispute between the Australian Maritime Officers Union and DP World but criticised the latter for allegedly acting in "bad faith."[70][71]
In its May 2024 budget, the government announced that superannuation would be added to Commonwealth-funded paid parental leave from 1 July 2025.[72]
In late August 2024, the federal government's right to disconnect laws came into effect. This allows employees to ignore calls or messages from their employers outside of work hours, except where such refusal is unreasonable.[73][74]
Parliamentary affairs
Tony Burke was also appointed Leader of the House in the Albanese ministry.[75] Prior to being sworn in, Burke said that he was determined to ‘fix’ parliamentary procedures and noted that the situation had become a "farce" during the previous Parliament.[75]
On 24 June 2022, Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese decided to cut crossbench advisory staff from 4 to the pre-Coalition level of 1. This decision worsened the government's relations with the Senate crossbench and the Teal independents,[76] with many crossbench Parliamentarians later having their staff allocations increased after making direct appeals to Albanese.[77]
On 7 July 2022, Albanese unveiled a new ministerial code of conduct which prohibited ministers from utilising blind trusts. This was in response to the blind trust used by Christian Porter under the previous government to fund personal defamation proceedings brought by him.[78]
On 26 August 2022, Albanese and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced that the government had appointed former High Court Justice Virginia Bell to lead an inquiry into the appointment of former Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, to administer departments other than the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and related matters".[79] Bell found that Morrison's appointments were corrosive of public trust in government and recommended the implementation of legislation requiring the public announcement of ministerial appointments.[80] Albanese confirmed that he would recommend that his cabinet implement all of Bell's recommendations in this regard[81] and Burke successfully moved a motion in the House censuring Morrison on 30 November 2022, making him the first former prime minister to be censured.[82]
In September 2022, the Albanese government increased the permanent migration intake from 160,000 to a record 195,000 a year.[85][86][87] Net overseas migration is expected to reach 650,000 over 2022–2023, and 2023–2024, the highest in Australian history.[88]
In November 2022, the Albanese government started repatriation of ISIS brides from Syria. Some Western Sydney locals and mayors criticised the repatriations, as well as the Opposition. The government has not revealed the cost of the repatriations.[89][90]
In the leadup to the 2022 election, Labor promised that it would abolish temporary protection visas, as of early 2023 it had allowed 19,000 asylum seekers to permanently settle in Australia.[91]
In November 2023, the High Court held that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful.[92] In response to this ruling and demands from those indefinitely detained, the Albanese government began releasing people clearly impacted by the case.[93] Within a week, 80 people were released, with Giles saying that all are on visa conditions including reporting.[94] The Albanese government is seeking to clarify if the government must release people from immigration detention if they have refused to cooperate with attempts to deport them.[95] The government is seeking to enact legislation that will jail immigration detainees and unlawful non-citizens for a minimum of one year if they do not cooperate with attempts to deport them.[96]
In December 2023, the Albanese government released its ten-year migration strategy which includes increasing minimum English language requirements for international students and tightening visa processes for migrant workers.[97][98]
International student migration
In January 2024, the government signalled changes that would make it easier for international students to settle permanently in Australia.[99] However, on 1 July 2024, the government enacted policy changes intended to limit the available of visas for international student graduates. These changes included excluding students aged over 35 years from the Temporary Graduate visa scheme, reducing the time students are permitted to remain and work in Australia after completing their tertiary studies, increasing financial capacity requirements, and increasing English language requirements.[100][101]
On 1 July 2024, the government announced plans to increase the fee for international student visas from $710 to $1600.[102] Representatives from the university sector expressed concern that the increased fee would deter international students from studying in Australia.[103][104]
On 27 August 2024, the Australian Government announced plans to limit the number of international student tertiary enrolments to 270,000, with 145,000 enrolments allocated to university enrolments.[105][106] On 6 September 2024, the government announced the maximum number of student enrolments allocated to each Australian university.[107] In response to the Albanese Government's announcement, the Allen government in Victoria voiced concerns that the change could cost the Victorian economy $5.9 billion by 2027.[108][109] During a senate inquiry into the proposed legislation, representatives from the Australian university sector voiced similar concerns about the economic impact of the policy, and the consequent effects on long term tertiary education outcomes for both international and domestic students.[110][107][111][112][113]
During the 2022 election campaign, Labor committed $135 million to fund 50 bulk-billed urgent care clinics, a policy designed to ease pressure on hospital emergency wards.[114] By the start of 2024, 58 clinics had opened across every state and territory of Australia.[115] Over the first six months of operation, more than 130,000 patients were treated for non-life-threatening medical emergencies.[116]
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
In October 2022, the government's cheaper medications bill passed the parliament. The new law reduced the cost of PBS medications by 29% and reduced the co-payment.[117]
COVID-19 pandemic
On 30 June 2022, Butler ordered an inquiry into Australia's COVID-19 vaccine supplies, future variant jabs and how the rollout was caught short at the height of the pandemic. The review will also examine the deals struck by the former government to purchase vaccines and therapeutic treatments.[118]
Pandemic leave payments and access to free rapid antigen tests for concession card holders expired on 1 July 2022. The new government initially did not take steps to extend these programs, but reinstated them on 16 July 2022.[119]
On 3 July 2022, Butler announced that from 12:01am on 6 July 2022 changes to the Biosecurity Act will come into effect which provide that persons seeking to visit Australia will no longer have to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status.[120]
On 7 July 2022, Butler confirmed that persons aged over 30 would be eligible to receive a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose from 11 July 2022.[121]
The government altered rules governing isolation periods so that persons infected with the virus only need isolate for 5 days from 9 September 2022.[122] Albanese announced on 30 September that a mandatory isolation period would no longer apply at all for persons infected with COVID-19.[123]
The first bill to pass the new Parliament was one responding to the 17 recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission. The legislation amended the aged care funding model and introduces new reporting and transparency requirements.[128]
The government also introduced a bill in the first sitting of the new parliament seeking to implement its election commitment to ensure that there is a nurse in nursing homes at all times. This bill was passed by the Parliament on 27 October 2022.[129]
The government entered submissions to the Fair Work Commission supporting the case for a wage increase in the aged care industry and committed to funding any such increase. The Commission ordered a 15% increase and the government is expected to enter submissions related to the timing and implementation of this.[130]
NDIS
In mid-August 2022, the federal government announced that providers in the National Disability Insurance Scheme would be scrutinised for fraud. The government also confirmed the establishment of a multiagency task force to look into this issue.[131]
On 7 July 2024, the NDIS Minister Bill Shorten confirmed that sex work would no longer be funded through the NDIS under planned reforms.[132]
On 5 September 2024, Shorten confirmed that he would retire from politics and his ministerial portfolio in February 2025 in order to take up the position as vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra.[133]
On 16 June 2022, Bowen and Albanese submitted a new Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations which formally committed Australia to reducing carbon emissions by 43% on 2005 levels. This represented an increase from the 26 to 28% target under the previous government.[135] These targets were also codified in legislation which the government passed with support from the Greens and crossbench senators.[136]
In late 2022, the Albanese government announced reforms to the "safeguard mechanism", which requires Australia's largest carbon emitters to keep their emissions under a "baseline limit", either by reducing them, or by purchasing carbon credits. The scheme was introduced by the Turnbull government in 2016, but failed to reduce emissions as the rules were often left unenforced.[137] However, the amendments were met by opposition from the Australian Greens, whose support is crucial for the government in the Senate; Greens leader Adam Bandt argued that the reforms did not go far enough.[138] The two parties reached an agreement on 27 March, with the Greens negotiating a "hard cap" on emissions that cannot be offset by carbon credits.[139] The bill was passed on 30 March 2023, marking the most significant piece of climate change legislation passed through the Australian Parliament since 2011's Clean Energy Act.[140]
In late 2023, Australia re-joined the United Nations' Green Climate Fund, from which the previous Morrison government had withdrawn in 2018.[141] As part of re-joining, the Albanese government committed $150 million in climate finance to Pacific island countries.[142]
In late March 2024, Albanese along with Bowen and industry ministerEd Husic travelled to the former Liddell Power Station in the Hunter Valley to announce a $1 billion solar panel program.[143] The visit later attracted criticism and accusations of hypocrisy after it was revealed that the ministers had travelled into the area on two separate private jets.[144][145] In response to criticism, Bowen said that the Royal Australian Air Force had been responsible for their travel arrangements.[146]
Energy prices
Shortly after the Albanese government came to office, Australia entered into an energy crisis marked by significantly increased power prices. Bowen convened a meeting with his state and territory counterparts on 8 June 2022. While it was agreed that there was no short-term solution to the current crisis, a plan was put in place to ensure the market is in a better position in the future. At the meeting, the ministers agreed to expedite work on a capacity mechanism which will require the energy regulator to pay retailers to maintain excess capacity.[147]
On 9 December 2022, Albanese announced that National Cabinet had agreed to a plan put forward by the government to deal with rising energy prices by introducing gas and energy price caps. Albanese also announced that he would recall the Parliament to deal with the energy intervention bill before the end of the year.[148] The bill passed the Parliament on 15 December 2022. It introduced a 12-month cap on energy prices and a $1.5 billion relief package for households and businesses.[149]
In July 2022, the Albanese government introduced a bill to exempt certain electric vehicles from fringe benefits tax. This passed Parliament in November 2022.[152][153]
In March 2024, the Albanese government introduced a bill to apply a vehicle emission standard to new vehicles sold in Australia from 1 July 2025.[154] The Parliament passed this New Vehicle Effiency Standard in May 2024.[155]
Plibersek attended the UN ocean conference in Lisbon on 26 June 2022 where she announced five new blue carbon projects which are understood to include assistance for developing nations to safeguard the health of their oceans.[156]
On 19 July 2022, Plibersek released the State of the Environment Report which had been handed to the previous government in December 2021. The Report provided that every category of the Australian environment – apart from urban environments – was now in a poor and deteriorating state. In response, Plibersek announced that the government would adopt a new target of protecting 30% of the Australian environment and promised stronger environmental protection legislation to be introduced in 2023.[157]
On 8 December 2022, Plibersek announced that the government would commit to a reform of federal environmental laws, in response to an independent review first submitted to the Morrison government in 2020. The reform would include the creation of a federal Environment Protection Agency (EPA) which would impose legally binding environmental standards and oversee decision-making processes of the states and territories, as well as increased restrictions to native logging and the establishment of a "traffic light" rating system where some areas could be designated as having a high conservation value. The government planned to introduce legislation to Parliament before the end of 2023.[158] On 29 May 2024, Plibersek introduced to Parliament a modified version of the reforms.[159][160]
In mid-May 2024, the Federal Court of Australia ruled Plibersek in her capacity as federal environment minister did not need to consider the environmental impacts of emissions when approving gas or coal projects.[161]
At Albanese's first press conference as Prime Minister, the podium flags in the blue room at Parliament were changed to include Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags in addition to the Australian flag.[162] Upon the opening of the new Parliament, both flags began to be displayed in the House of Representatives and Senate chambers.[163]
Linda Burney was sworn in as Minister for Indigenous Australians on 1 June 2022. She was the first Indigenous woman to serve in the role.[164] In July 2024, following Minister Burney's retirement from the Cabinet, her Assistant Minister Malarndirri McCarthy became the new Minister for Indigenous Australians.[165]
Disparity in health and socio-economic outcomes between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous, remained an issue under the Albanese Government. In February 2024, data released by the Australian Productivity Commission indicating that only five of 19 target health and socioeconomic outcomes were on track to reach parity by the intended 2031 deadline.[166][167]
Uluru Statement from the Heart
When declaring victory on election night, Albanese confirmed that his government was committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full within its first term.[168][169]
On 30 July 2022, Albanese attended the Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures where he announced the proposed question the government intended to put to a referendum for the inclusion of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution: "Do you support an alteration to the Constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?".[170]
On 3 February 2023, all first ministers signed a statement of intent through the National Cabinet committing to support constitutional recognition of a Voice to Parliament.[171]
A referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament was held on the 14 October 2023 and was rejected nationally.[172] The Yes23 campaign co-chair Rachel Perkins called for a week of silence "to grieve this outcome and reflect on its meaning and significance".[173]
On 3 August 2024, Albanese announced his government no longer intended to pursue Truth and Treaty through the establishment of a formal Makaratta Commission.[174][175]
Internet and social media
TikTok on government devices
On 4 April 2023, the Albanese government banned the video streaming app TikTok on all government devices, including the mobile phones of politicians.[176] Prior to the Australian federal government's ban, 68 federal agencies had banned TikTok on work-related mobile devices by early March 2023.[177] The federal government subsequently began a review of TikTok on 21 March 2023.[178]
Minimum age for social media access
In May 2024, the federal government allocated A$6.5 million from the 2024 Australian federal budget to a pilot age verification scheme meant to protect children from accessing pornography and other harmful digital content in response to a sharp rise in domestic violence nationally.[179][180]
On 10 September 2024, Albanese and Minister for CommunicationsMichelle Rowland confirmed that the federal government would introduce legislation to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms. Albanese said that the legislation was intended to safeguard the safety and mental and physical health of young people, while Rowland said that the proposed legislation would hold big tech to account for harmful online environments and social media addiction among children.[181] The federal government's announcement followed South Australia's plan to restrict social media access to people aged 14 and above, and the Coalition's promise to restrict social media access to people aged under 16 if it won the 2025 Australian federal election.[182]
In response, the Australian Association of Psychologists director Carly Dober described the proposal as a "bandaid response to a very complicated and deeply entrenched issue".[183] The Australian Internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, who expressed concern that a social media ban would exclude young people from "meaningful" digital engagement and access to critical support.[184] By contrast, the 36Months initiative has supported the social media age limit on the grounds that excessive social media usage was "rewiring young brains" and causing an "epidemic of mental illness".[185]
On 7 November 2024, Albanese confirmed that the minimum age would be 16 and would not include exemptions for young people who already have social media accounts or those with parental consent.[186] On 21 November, the Albanese government introduced the legislation with proposed fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) on social media platforms for systemic breaches. The proposed law would affect Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and Snapchat. However, Albanese confirmed that children would still have access to messaging, online gaming, and health and education-related services including the youth mental health platform Headspace, Google Classroom and YouTube, Messenger Kids, WhatsApp and Kids Helpline.[187][188]
On 29 November 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the legislation with support from the Coalition but opposition from the Australian Greens.[188] In response, tech companies Meta Platforms, TikTok and Google criticised the age verification legislation but indicated they would work with the government to implement the legislation over the next 12 months.[189]
Social media regulation
Following the 2024 Wakeley church stabbing on 15 April 2024, the federal government ordered Meta Platforms and X (formerly Twitter) to remove offensive content relating to the attack within 24 hours or face fines.[190] In response, X announced it would challenge the federal government's decision in court, with its owner Elon Musk accusing the government of censorship.[191] The Federal Court of Australia said that it was unreasonable for the eSafety Commission to require X to remove access to the video globally and noted that a block would be ignored by other countries.[192] The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant dropped the Federal Court case on 5 June 2024, but stated that she would continue legal action in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.[193]
On 12 September 2024, the federal government introduced legislation to combat social media misinformation. It would allow the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to require social media platforms to set internal industry standards around serious harm to election integrity, public health, incitement of hatred and violence, and disruption of key infrastructure or emergency services.[194] The ACMA would have the power to fine social media companies up to five percent of their annual revenue for non-compliance.[195] In response, X owner's Musk denounced the Australian government as "fascists". Government Services Minister Bill Shorten accused Musk of being disingenuous about free speech, stating "When it's in its commercial interests, he [Elon Musk] is the champion of free speech and when he doesn't like it... he's going to shut it all down".[196]
On 25 November 2024, the Albanese government withdrew the proposed legislation amid criticism over its impact on free speech.[197]
Clare announced an Australian Universities Accord with the terms of reference covering funding, affordability, employment conditions for staff and how universities and TAFEs can work together. The Accord's final report is due to be handed down in December 2023.[199]
Child care
In November 2022, the parliament passed the government's cheaper childcare laws. The new laws commenced operation in July 2023 and increased the childcare subsidy from 85% to 90% for families on an income below $80,000.[200]
Julie Collins was appointed Minister for Housing.[201] The government's Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee was launched on 1 October 2022. The program provides a government guarantee of up to 15 per cent for eligible first home buyers, so regional Australians with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent can avoid paying lenders’ mortgage insurance.[202]
Welfare
The Albanese government announced that existing mutual obligation penalties would be expunged from people's records as the government transitioned to the Workforce Australia system for JobSeeker, saying that it was "too late" to scrap the system.[203] A review of the Workforce Australia JobSeeker scheme will be tabled in parliament in September 2023.[204]
Legislation to end the Cashless Debit Card was passed by the House of Representatives, and will be considered by the Senate in September.[205] Cashless Debit Card users in the Northern Territory will be transitioned back onto the BasicsCard, a Howard-era income management scheme,[206] despite Labor promising prior to the election to end compulsory income management.[207]
A Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme was announced by Albanese with Letters Patent issued on 25 August 2022. The Royal Commission will be chaired by former Queensland Supreme CourtJustice Catherine Holmes and is expected to conclude on 18 April 2023.[208][209] The Albanese government agreed to all recommendations of the royal commission, either in full or in principle, but rejected a recommendation about the freedom of information act.[210]
During the election campaign, Albanese confirmed that his government would seek to establish a federal National Anti-Corruption Commission within its first year in office.[63] On the day he was sworn in, Albanese confirmed that he had already ordered work to begin on this task.[211]Attorney-GeneralMark Dreyfus said that the government's legislation would include provision for the commission to investigate pork-barrelling as well as “serious and systemic” past corruption allegations.[212]
In September 2022, Dreyfus introduced a bill to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).[213] The bill passed the Parliament on 30 November 2022 in line with the government's commitment to establish an anti-corruption commission prior to the end of 2022.[214] The NACC came into existence on 1 July 2023.[215]
On 16 December 2022, the Labor Albanese government announced that it will abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and replace it with a new body, claiming that the AAT had been "fatally compromised" by political appointments and "cronyism".[217]
In June 2023, the Albanese government introduced legislation to ban the public display of Nazi symbols, including the Nazi salute.[222] The ban passed Parliament in December 2023 and came into effect the following month.[223]
On 11 May 2024, Watt announced that Western Australia's live sheep export trade would end from 1 May 2028.[228] While RSPCA Australia welcomed the move, the policy announcement was condemned by Nationals leader David Littleproud, Western Australian opposition leader Shane Love, National Farmers' Federation CEO Tony Maher and WA Livestock president Geoff Pearson.[228][229]Western Australian PremierRoger Cook also criticised the Government's support package for farmers as insufficient.[230] In late May 2024, the Western Australian agricultural sector launched a "Keep the Sheep" campaign in opposition to the federal government's decision to end live sheep exports by 2028.[231] Campaigners staged a large protest rally in Perth, which disrupted traffic.[232]
Territory rights
Kristy McBain was appointed Minister for the Territories. In June 2022, she confirmed that the government intended to introduce a bill to give the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory the right to enact their own voluntary-assisted dying laws. However, she noted that the government had no plans to expand the number of senators representing the Australian Capital Territory despite its rapidly expanding population.[233]
On 1 December 2022, the government's bill to empower the Territories to make laws relating to voluntary-assisted dying passed the Parliament.[234]
Disaster relief
2022 floods response
Following the 2022 New South Wales floods in July 2022, the government announced one-off, non-means tested disaster relief payments to persons living in 29 local government areas impacted by the disaster.[235]
On 12 July 2022, Albanese announced a further $80 million to assist with clean-up efforts as well as grants for farmers, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and local councils. Albanese also announced $36 million for a program to assess buildings and flooded properties including free demolition of those found to be unlivable.[236]
Following the 2022 south eastern Australia floods, the federal government made a one-off, non-means tested disaster recovery payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child available.[237] Across the states suffering in the crisis, 23 local government areas were made eligible.[238]
2024 Victorian flood
On 10 January 2024, Albanese announced that the federal government would provide support to victims of the Murchison flooding.[239]
2024 Port Vila earthquake
In response to the 2024 Port Vila earthquake that occurred on 17 December 2024, the Albanese government dispatched military personnel, urban search and rescue teams, firefighters, paramedics, volunteer engineers, canine handlers and medical personnel to Port Vila, Vanuatu to assist with local rescue and recovery efforts.[240][241] The Australian government also assisted with efforts to reopen Port Vila's airport.[242] The Royal Australian Air Force evacuated 148 Australian citizens from Vanuatu.[243]
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, Albanese reiterated that his government would not pursue becoming a republic during their first parliamentary term.[245] In July 2024, the role of Assistant Minister for the Republic was abolished.[246]
On 18 January 2023, the Albanese government removed a Morrison government ban on federal public servants working on Australia Day.[250][251]
Culture
On 30 January 2023, Albanese unveiled a new national cultural policy 'Revive' with $286 million in funding over four years, labelled the most significant investment in Australian culture since the Keating government, with a focus on literature, music, cinema and television, and First Nations language and culture.[252][253][254]
Sports
In early September 2024, the Albanese government launched its National Gender Equity in Sports Governance Policy to boost the representation of women in governance and leadership positions in Australian sports by creating a financial initiative for sporting bodies to make their boards more equal. Under the policy, national and state-level sporting bodies across Australia must have an equal split of men and women on their boards by 1 July 2027 or risk having their funding suspended. This policy was developed in collaboration by the Albanese government, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), and the various State and Territory Agencies for Sport and Recreation.[255]
In May 2024, RNZ reported that the Albanese Government had slightly increased Australia's foreign aid budget by four percent, bringing its total 2024-2025 aid to A$4.961 billion budget. In August 2023, the Government had released its new international development strategy, which promised new country, gender, disability and humanitarian aid strategies.[257]
Albanese, US president Joe Biden, and British prime minister Rishi Sunak at the AUKUS meeting in San Diego
On 12 June 2022 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence MinisterRichard Marles held a meeting with Chinese Defence MinisterWei Fenghe at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. It was the highest-level contact between Australia and China in almost three years following a deterioration in Australia-China relations under the previous Morrison government. The two ministers discussed an incident involving the Chinese interception of a Royal Australian Air ForceBoeing P-8 Poseidon over the South China Sea and political developments in the Pacific Islands.[258] Earlier, Marles reiterated his government's commitment to pursuing a "productive relationship" with China while advancing its own national interests and regional security within a rules-based system. In response to Chinese concerns that AUKUS was a "mini-NATO", Marles stated that AUKUS was not an alliance similar to NATO but rather focused on the "sharing and development of capabilities" between Australia, the United Kingdom, and United States.[259]
In November 2022 Albanese held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, bringing an end to the longest diplomatic freeze in 50 years between Australia and China.[260] In December 2022 Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited China, the first Australian minister to visit the country since 2019, where she met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.[261]
In early 2023 China ended its unofficial ban on imports of Australian coal,[262] with all restrictions reportedly being lifted by 14 March.[263] On 11 April the countries announced that they reached an agreement over disputes over China's barley imports from Australia, with China agreeing to review its tariffs in exchange for Australia suspending a case against China in the World Trade Organization WTO.[264] These developments were followed by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu's visit to Australia in mid-April 2023 and Australia Minister for Trade and TourismDon Farrell's visit to Beijing, which marked the first visits by senior Chinese and Australian visits since 2017 and 2019 respectively.[265][266] Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian announced on 18 May that China would allow imports of Australian timber, which was suspended in 2020.[267] This was followed by the lifting of China's 80% tariff on Australian barley in early August 2023.[268]
In September 2023 the Australian and Chinese governments held a High-Level Dialogue in Beijing, the first in three years, with former trade minister Craig Emerson leading the Australian delegation, while China was represented by former foreign minister Li Zhaoxing. Later that month Albanese met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit held in Jakarta.[269] On 11 October, Australian journalist Cheng Lei, a former CGTN news anchor who was detained in September 2020, was released and returned to Australia.[270] Between 4 and 7 November, Albanese visited Shanghai and Beijing, becoming the first Australian prime minister to visit China in seven years.[271] The trip, described as an effort to improve Australian-Chinese bilateral relations, coincided with the 50th anniversary of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's first state visit to China.[272] During the trip he gave a speech at the China International Import Expo, and met with Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping.[273]
In mid-June 2024 Albanese hosted Chinese PremierLi Qiang during his state visit to Australia. China agreed to extend visa-free access to Australians visiting China for up to 15 days. The two governments also agreed to provide reciprocal five-year multiple entry visas for tourism, business and visiting family members. In addition, the two governments agreed to hold talks on improving bilateral military relations to avoid incidents such as the 2023 sonar attack on divers from HMAS Toowoomba. Despite a largely productive visit, an incident occurred when Chinese officials attempted to obstruct Cheng Lei, who had since become a Sky News Australia journalist.[274][275]
Despite the improving of Australian-Chinese bilateral relations during the Albanese government, flashpoints have included Australia's continuation of the AUKUS submarine deal, a sonar attack on Royal Australian Navy divers from HMAS Toowoomba by the Chinese destroyer Ningbo near Japan in November 2023, Australia's agreement to brief New Zealand about AUKUS Pillar 2 developments in February 2024, the targeting of 20 Australian lawmakers involved in the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) by Chinese spies (APT31) in April 2024, and a confrontation between a Chinese Air Force jet and Australian military helicopter near North Korea in May 2024.[276][277][278][279][280]
On 1 July 2022, Albanese travelled to Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy, making him the first Australian Prime Minister to make a diplomatic visit to Ukraine. Albanese pledged a further $100 million in aid to assist with the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.[281] In addition, Albanese and the Australian delegation visited Kyiv and Bucha on 4 July 2022, which had seen fighting with Russian forces.[282]
In early December 2022, Albanese hosted Finnish Prime MinisterSanna Marin in Sydney; which marked the first state visit by a Finnish head of government to Australia. During the visit, the two leaders discussed several issues including the Australia-European Union trade agreement, human rights, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and climate change mitigation.[283][284]
In early July 2023, Albanese visited Germany ahead of the NATO summit in Lithuania. Prior to a scheduled meeting with German ChancellorOlaf Scholz, Albanese confirmed a bilateral deal to sell Australian-made armoured vehicles to Germany.[287]
In July 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Marles announced a further $250 million in military assistance, the largest single military package from Australia to Ukraine since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[288]
Albanese visited India between 8 and 11 March, where he met Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi for the Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. The state visit focused on bilateral trade and investment, renewable energy, technology, defence and security cooperation, and educational and cultural ties. Australia and India had previously signed the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which came into force on 29 December 2022.[289] During the visit, Albanese and Modi attended the fourth Australia-India cricket test at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the two leaders also rode a chariot in a lap of honour.[290] Modi reciprocated with a two-day state visit to Sydney on 22 May 2023 where he met Australian political and business leaders including Albanese.[291]
In October 2022, the Albanese government reversed the previous Morrison government's decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed that Jerusalem's status should be decided through peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.[292][293]
Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War on 7 October 2023, the Albanese government defended Israel's right to defend itself and retaliate against Hamas' attack.[297] Wong also called for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.[298] Despite its support for Israel, the Albanese government declined to supply weapons to Israel since the start of the conflict.[299]
In early April 2024, Wong said that the federal government was considering recognising Palestinian statehood as a means of facilitating a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine during a speech at the Australian National University.[301] Her comments attracted criticism from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry President Daniel Aghon[302] and praise from the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni.[303]
In May 2024, the Albanese government voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution that determined that Palestine met the requirements for United Nations membership.[304] Wong subsequently confirmed that the vote did not mean that Australia would recognise Palestinian statehood but was rather about extending "modest additional rights to participate in United Nations forums." She reiterated that Australia would only recognise Palestine "when we think the time is right" and that a reformed Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, should "lead its people" in a future Palestinian state.[305][306]
On 1 October 2024, Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton condemned memorial services held at several Shiite Muslim mosques in Sydney to commemorate the death of leader of terrorist group HezbollahHassan Nasrallah. In addition, Federal police commissioner Reece Kershaw warned that law enforcement authorities would take action against those displaying Hezbollah or Hamas flags at national pro-Palestinian rallies being held on 6 October to mark the first anniversary of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[307]
On 7 February 2023, Albanese hosted his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins, who had succeeded Ardern in late January 2023. Besides reaffirming Australian-New Zealand bilateral relations, they also discussed the controversial Section 501 deportation policy. Albanese reiterated that his government would revise the deportation policy to take into account individuals' connections to Australia and the length of time they had lived in the country.[310][311]Immigration MinisterAndrew Giles also issued Ministerial Directive 99 requiring Australian immigration officials to consider a non-citizen's community ties and length of time spent in Australia when cancelling a visa.[312] This policy change was welcomed by Hipkins and the New Zealand Government.[313][314]
On 22 April 2023, Albanese, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil, and Giles announced the creation of a new direct pathway to Australian citizenship for New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holders, commencing 1 July 2023. Under the policy, SCV holders who have resided in Australia for at least four years and met other residency requirements will be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship without having to apply for permanent residency.[315] In addition, children born in Australia to a New Zealand citizen from 1 July will automatically be eligible for Australian citizenship.[316] The announcement was welcomed by New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Oz Kiwi chairperson Joanne Cox for improving New Zealanders' access to Australian citizenship, health and social security services.[317][316]
On 26 July 2023, Albanese met with Hipkins as part of the annual Australia-New Zealand leaders' meeting.[318]
In May 2024, following criticism from opposition politicians that Ministerial Directive 99 had allowed several non-citizens convicted of serious crimes to remain in Australia, Albanese and Giles confirmed that the immigration directive would be revised.[312][319] On 7 June 2024, Giles issued "Directive 110", which clarified that non-citizens convicted of serious crimes could be deported despite living their whole lives in Australia. In response, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed concern that people with little or no connection with New Zealand were being deported back to the country."[320]
On 3 July 2023, Albanese hosted Indonesian President Widodo during a 36-hour visit to Sydney, where he also met several Australian business and political leaders.[323]
On 6 September 2023, Albanese attended the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta to promote trade relations with the region.[324] On 8 September, Albanese met with Philippines PresidentBongbong Marcos in Manila, marking the first state visit to the Philippines by an Australian Prime Minister in two decades. The two governments agreed to conduct joint naval patrols in the South China Sea.[325]
During 4–6 March 2024, Australia hosted a 'special summit' between Australia and the member nations of ASEAN to mark 50 years of diplomatic dialogue relations.[326] Several diplomatic and economic initiatives were reached at the summit, including a $2 billion 'Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility', a $140 million infrastructure development partnership, and expanded business visa programs.[327]
On 15 December 2024 Albanese, Wong and Burke confirmed that surviving Bali Nine members Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj had been repatriated to Australia after serving over 19 years in prison in Indonesia. The five had been convicted of attempting to import over eight kilograms of heroin from Bali in 2005.[328]
In early November 2023, Albanese attended the Pacific Islands Forum annual meeting in the Cook Islands where he met several leaders including Tuvalan Prime MinisterKausea Natano. Key issues discussed at the meeting included the impact of Australian carbon emissions, climate change, nuclear safety, and ongoing US-China tensions.[331][332] On 10 November 2023, Albanese and Natano signed a bilateral pact between Australia and Tuvalu. Under the terms of the treaty, Tuvalan citizens will be given a "special mobility pathway" that would allow them to live and work in Australia. In addition, Australia will respond to major natural disasters, pandemics or military aggression against Tuvalu. In return, Australia will have a veto power over Tuvalu's security and defence agreements with other countries.[333][334]
In mid June 2024, several Australian cabinet ministers including Marles, Wong and Pat Conroy attended the 30th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby.[335] During the visit, the Albanese government announced several initiatives under a bilateral security agreement with Papua New Guinea.[336]
On 28 August 2024, the Albanese government's Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) won the support of member states of the Pacific Islands Forum, which Australia is a member. Under the PPI, the Australian federal government will establish a police development and coordination hub in Brisbane for training Pacific police officers. In addition, a "Pacific Police Support Group" will also be established to help with natural disasters, emergencies and other events. Four police training centres of excellence will also be set up across the Pacific, with Australia contributing about A$400m in infrastructure funding over five years.[337][338] Albanese described the launch of the Pacific Police Initiative as a "great outcome" for Pacific security.[338]Melanesian Spearhead Group director-general Leonard Louma and Vanuatan Prime MinisterCharlot Salwai expressed concern that the PPI could be used by Australian and New Zealand to serve Western interests and lock China out of the region.[337][338] By contrast, Tongan Prime MinisterSiaosi Sovaleni, Fijian Prime MinisterSitiveni Rabuka, Tuvalan Prime Minister Feleti Teo and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed support for the PPI.[338][339]Solomon Islands Prime MinisterJeremiah Manele expressed cautious support for the Pacific Police Initiative but said that national consultation was important.[339]
On 20 December 2024, Albanese signed an A$190 million (US$118 million) agreement with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele to expand the capabilities of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. This funding package would support the Solomon Islands Police Force's funding, training and infrastructure including the construction of a new police training centre in Honiara. According to Agence France-Presse and Reuters, this funding packaged was intended to compete with expanding Chinese influence in the Pacific region particularly the Solomon Islands, which had entered into a security agreement with China in 2022..[340][341]
United States
In late October 2023, Albanese undertook a four-day state visit to Washington, DC where he met United States PresidentJoe Biden, Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd and several members of the United States Congress. Key objectives of the visit including lobbying Congress to pass AUKUS-related legislation, sign new deals on critical minerals and discuss issues with China and the Israel-Hamas War.[342] On 14 December 2023, Congress passed legislation allowing nuclear-powered submarines to be sold to Australia under the AUKUS agreement.[343]
In late September 2023, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced that 500 Australian troops would be relocated to Townsville over the course of six years from 2025 to strengthen the Australian Army's ability to conduct operations missions in the Pacific.[352] This announcement was criticised by the city's mayor Jenny Hill who claimed that Townsville City Council was not consulted about military personnel's housing.[353]
In early February 2024, Foreign Minister Wong and Defence Minister Marles hosted their New Zealand counterparts Winston Peters and Judith Collins for a joint bilateral meeting of foreign and defence ministers in Melbourne. Marles confirmed that Australia would send officials to brief their New Zealand counterparts about AUKUS Pillar Two, which would focus on advanced military technology including quantum computing and artificial intelligence. New Zealand is not expected to join AUKUS Pillar One due to its nuclear-free policy. The two governments also committed to reinforced security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and increased military integration between the Australian and New Zealand militaries.[357][358]
On 12 September 2024, Marles stripped nine commanding officers who served in the War in Afghanistan of their distinguished service medals, implementing the final recommendation of the Brereton Report which had found "credible evidence" that Australian soldiers had unlawfully killed 39 people.[359]
↑ The government's majority increased to 78 out of 151 seats following the Aston by-election in April 2023.
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↑ Massola, James; Foley, Mike (31 May 2022). "Record number of women in Albanese's first cabinet". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024. In total, 10 of 23 members of the cabinet are women and the 30-member ministry now comprises 17 men and 13 women, figures Albanese touted as "a record number in all three categories for women's representation in cabinet, in ministry and in frontbench positions".
↑ readOctober 27, Ewa StaszewskaDigital Reporterless than 2 min; 2022 – 3:33pm (27 October 2022). "Labor reveals cheaper medicines win". skynews. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ "Press Conference Adelaide". Minister for Foreign Affairs. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
↑ Jackson, Blair (28 September 2023). "Townsville mayor blasts Army shake-up over housing crisis". Townsville Bulletin. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2023. They need to show us what the hell their plan is … get your friggin' act together! We want the troops. We want the economic activity they bring, the population they bring, but we need the support services.
For information about the caretaker governments led by Earle Page (1939), Frank Forde (1945) and John McEwen (1967–1968), see their respective biographical articles.
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