Albanese's 30-Year Journey: From Firebrand to PM

0:00From Sydney, this is your March 2nd update, Anthony Albanese is marking 30 years in Parliament this week. Elected in 1996 as a young left-wing firebrand, he is now Australia's Prime Minister and the longest-serving member of the labor. Caucus. His rise came despite a tough start in a year when labor lost power to John Howard after 13 years in government. That 1996 election night saw Albanese supporters celebrate wildly at a local club in Merrickville drinking a dry despite the national loss. Fast forward to this weekend and he hosted a more relaxed gathering with old friends, branch members and family at a tennis club, complete with. Vintage posters and his dog Toto stealing the show. Supporters praise Albanese's loyalty, smarts and working-class routes, crediting his long-growing through student politics, staffer roles and party. Backrooms for his success. Friends say he mentored talent early on and has confounded doubters by winning big at the last election, positioning labor for multiple terms.

1:03Critics though, highlighted shift from his scrappy activist days opposing wars and tough border policies to now backing recent strikes on Iran and focusing on stability. Some in labor call him too cautious on social reforms with former insiders like Paul Keating questioning if it's truly a bold government. Still, Albanese holds unmatched control over his party and polls show voters see him as a safe pair of hands amid tough times. With a strong reelection, he could be set for a long run, maybe even retiring on his own terms like few Prime Ministers before. The Daily News now is made possible with support from our sponsor. What is cooler than cool? A pillow that plays your sound? S-O-L-I-SOL-I-PILLOW.COM