Anthony Albanese clearly wants an election dividend from his policy slog over the past two weeks in getting laws through parliament to deliver on his promises.

But the prime minister cannot count on the reward when he knows that the next election will be decided on what he offers next.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brings out Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Treasurer Jim Chalmers to celebrate their successes. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The Labor strategy is all about the “forward offer” to Australians about what they should expect over the next three years, rather than counting on their gratitude for the laws just passed.

Albanese emerges from this week with a greater confidence that he can get his way by holding the line. He secured the passage of cost-of-living measures despite Coalition objections, while gaining the sweet victory of staring down the Greens on housing.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has pivoted to keeping the Coalition out of power after spending most of this year targeting Labor for not going far enough on housing and the environment. The implicit admission is that the Greens have been splitting the progressive side of politics when many of their own supporters want them to confront the conservative side instead.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has kept a low profile during the frenzy in parliament. He has driven the agenda on one........

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