Why Anthony Albanese would 'have a disagreement' with his younger self now
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reflects on his 30-year political career, acknowledging that he has shifted away from his earlier left-wing roots. He now defends stricter border policies and expresses admiration for former Liberal leader John Howard.
Why it matters
This shift illustrates the evolution of the Australian Labor Party's platform and the pragmatic adjustments made by long-term political leaders.
Anthony Albanese was first elected to parliament 30 years ago. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts )
Link copied Share Share article Anthony Albanese has distanced himself from his left-wing roots, praised former Liberal prime minister John Howard and says he got some things about immigration policy wrong early in his career.
The prime minister acknowledged that if he encountered his younger self today the pair would be "having a disagreement … no question about that".
But, he said, over a long career in politics "you learn, and you can change your position". Albanese's Labor government now embraces the strict border measures he argued against in the 2000s, and as recently as 2015 .
"If you want to run a migration system that's respectful of the contribution that migrants make, it has to be orderly," the prime minister told the ABC's Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb.
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