Shape or be shaped: What's driving Albo's agenda

Perth Now

2 days ago

How successful Australia is this century hinges on what happens in the country over the next decade, Anthony Albanese has told NewsWire in an exclusive interview.
Lounging in the conference room of a Royal Australian Air Force Airbus, donning a grey Joy Division T-shirt, the Prime Minister was noticeably relaxed as he and his China delegation jetted home toward Canberra.
It was a tough trip to China.
He carried the interests of Australia's business community, iron ore giants, tourism sector and researchers while navigating a delicate diplomatic relationship with Xi Jinping – a mission overshadowed hawkish hints out of the White House.
At home, the opposition was quick to criticise him for not producing anything tangible, despite several agreements signed while there and $20bn in trade barriers removed over the past year.
'I think it's disappointing that they've broken with what is normal protocol, and been critical of this visit with our major trading partner,' Mr Albanese said.
'It shows that they haven't really changed their position or their attitude towards China, and that's disappointing.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says what happens this decade will determine Australia's success later in the century. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
'I think it's disappointing that they've broken with what is normal protocol, and been critical of this visit with our major trading partner,' Mr Albanese said.
'It shows that they haven't really changed their position or their attitude towards China, and that's disappointing.'
In an increasingly uncertain world, he sees China and its exploding middle class as key to Australia's economic future.
The relentless march of China's economic growth is undeniable.
In Shanghai, one of the three cities Mr Albanese visited, the growth is exemplified by the transformation of the metropolis' centre.
Where rice paddies once dotted the area when he visited some 30 years ago now stands towering skyscrapers draped in neon.
Meanwhile, the city's 25 million or so inhabitants get around in state-of-the-art electric vehicles.
With China leading a middle class boom in Asia, Mr Albanese said his government's focus was on implementing 'long term changes that Australia needs' to not only survive, but to thrive.
'The world is changing fast, and you can either shape that change, or it will shape you,' he said.
'And we've just been to a part of the world, in China, that's obviously changed very quickly over recent decades.
'And so there's a link – one of the reasons why that was an important visit is that the connections in our trade and economic relationships have a real difference for jobs and the economy.
'In Australia, one in four of our jobs is trade-dependent.' President Xi Jinping did not raise the Port of Darwin during the meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Prime Minister's Office / Handout / NewsWire Credit: NewsWire Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did raise Taiwan during the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Prime Minister's Office / Handout / NewsWire Credit: NewsWire
'The world is changing fast, and you can either shape that change, or it will shape you,' he said.
'And we've just been to a part of the world, in China, that's obviously changed very quickly over recent decades.
'And so there's a link – one of the reasons why that was an important visit is that the connections in our trade and economic relationships have a real difference for jobs and the economy.
'In Australia, one in four of our jobs is trade-dependent.'
Mr Albanese said his domestic agenda and international agenda worked hand-in-hand, and with 94 lower house seats following the May election, he is in a strong position to power on with both.
Among the big ticket items for the first sitting fortnight are slashing student debt by 20 per cent and legislating penalty rates.
Longer term items include speeding up the renewables transition, building 1.2m homes and making more things in Australia and keeping it sustainable.
'I feel a sense of responsibility,' Mr Albanese said.
'I really believe this decade will determine how successful Australia is for the decades to come, because this is … the transition to net zero is critical.
'The transition nature of the workforce changes.
'They're dealing with artificial intelligence and new technologies that will have an impact on the nature of work, all of these things.
'And I think it is more difficult than it was for previous generations.'
He added that while he was able to get a 'secure job' after finishing high school, now people 'work in multiple jobs'.
'It's a different world,' he said. Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping were keen to reframe the Australia-China relationship. Prime Minister's Office / Handout / NewsWire Credit: NewsWire
During his trip, Mr Albanese was keen to reframe the Australia-China relationship from its increasingly militaristic nature to more friendlier terms.
It was a message that went down well in Beijing, if Chinese state media is a measure.
Whether it went down well in Washington is another matter.
Though, Mr Albanese made clear throughout his diplomatic and business blitz that chasmic differences remained between Australia and China.
Any suggestion that Australia was realigning itself geopolitically was firmly met with his mantra: 'We will agree where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in the national interest.'
But Mr Albanese also made clear he would not allow White House hawks determine Australia's economic future.