Albanese fights back – and departs parliament with most of what he wanted |
Since the Bondi massacre, Anthony Albanese has confessed to confidants that he has been shocked, wounded even, by the harsh criticism he has received from his political opponents. John Howard castigated the prime minister for lacking moral leadership two days after the attack; Josh Frydenberg told him to give the job to someone else if he didn’t want to do it; Sussan Ley demanded he recall parliament early.
Albanese’s frustration, kept mostly private until now, bubbled over during the first question time of the year as the opposition repeatedly pressed him to apologise to the Jewish community and accept personal responsibility for the attack. After a month in a defensive crouch, denied the bipartisanship he felt he deserved, Albanese decided now was the time to fight back.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during question time on Tuesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“When Port Arthur happened, the parliament came together – no one saw that as a political opportunity,” Albanese said on Tuesday.
“When the Bali bombings occurred, people did not see that as an opportunity for politics; people saw that as the need for the national interest to be put first.
“I am devastated, as all Australians are, at what has occurred. I am sad that every government has not done better on........