CANBERRA (CU)_Australia’s Labour Party returns to power after party leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in as the country’s 31st Prime Minister on Monday (23 May). A wave of unprecedented support for the Green and independents advocating for climate action, women in particular, at Saturday’s election, brought an end to a nearly decade of rule by the Conservative coalition.
While votes are still being counted, the Labour leader was sworn in so he could attend a critical meeting between the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in Tokyo on Tuesday. As he was sworn in by Governor-General David Hurley, at a ceremony at Government House in Canberra, the newly elected Prime Minister promised a “journey of change” as he vowed to tackle the rising cost of living, inequality and climate change. “It’s a big day in my life but a big day for the country, when we change the government,” the Prime Minister-elect told reporters outside his home in Sydney ahead of the ceremony. “I want to channel the opportunity that we have to shape change so that we bring people with us on the journey of change. I want to bring the country together.”
Although the makeup of the government has not yet been finalised, Deputy Labour leader was also sworn in as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, along with Jim Chalmers as Treasurer Penny Wong as Foreign Minister and Katy Gallagher as Finance Minister. Wong is expected to join Albanese on his trip to Tokyo for the Quad meeting. PM Albanese said he had already spoken to US President Joe Biden on Sunday and that he looks forward to meeting the American leader, alongside the Prime Ministers of India and Japan on Tuesday.
“This visit aligns with what the Albanese Government sees as the three pillars of Australia’s foreign policy: our alliance with the United States; our engagement with the region; and our support for multilateral forums,” the newly elected Prime Minister said in a statement.
