China, climate change and coal mines: dramatic changes in Anthony Albanese's stance on key issues
Anthony Albanese believes poses a massive threat to Australia's security, which is a huge change from his view of the communist state in just three years. It is just one of the many key issues on which he has dramatically changed his opinion in recent years. In May 2019, Mr Albanese said his view on China had been formed by the actions of one of his Labor predecessors, Gough Whitlam, half a century ago. Mr Albanese said the countries had a 'friendly relationship and have ... since the Whitlam government recognised China in 1972. That is part of Labor's legacy.' Three years on, and with the federal election just 39 days away, the Labor leader said 'China has changed under its current leadership ... China is a serious threat potentially to our future security. 'Whoever is in government, there will be a difficult relationship with China going forward and that is because China has changed,' he told . The man who is hoping to lead Labor back into government for the first time since 2013 has also recalibrated his views on issues such as climate change and coal. In 2005 he said 'climate change is the greatest threat to our future security,' but 'All of these are major national security issues and a serious federal government needs to deal with all of them,' he said. Mr Albanese confirmed that two of the most contentious policies Labor took to the 2019 election - abolishing franking credit refunds and limiting negative gearing - were not coming back after he ditched them when he became leader. He also walked back his opposition to new coal mines in Australia. When asked about the issue in February 2018 he said 'There's not a market for it.' Four years on he said he would not prevent new coal mines in Australia if he wins the election on May 21. Australia becoming a republic is something Mr Albanese has long felt passionate about, but though he is still a republican, he no longer sees it as a priority. In 1999, shortly before a referendum on the matter, he said it would be 'embarrassing' if it was defeated. It was beaten by 55 per cent to 45 per cent, with the ACT being the only territory or state to back a republic. Now, 23 years on, he said 'Maybe at some future point' Australia would have its own head of state. Rather than the republic, Mr Albanese said his priority for constitutional change is recognising Indigenous Australians. He said Labor would consult with Indigenous people about a timetable and that he was hopeful it would be supported by the Coalition. 'Also we want to reach across the aisle ... and hopefully get support. To get constitutional change in this country, it's hard if you've got (substantial) opposition.' Labor's official policy on the issue is that it will hold 'a referendum to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament in the constitution as a matter of priority'. With Mr Albanese's gaffe on Monday where he did not know Australia's unemployment or cash rates, there will be a strong focus on the economy in the lead up to the election. But he is still not in a hurry to release Labor's tax policy. On June 6, 2021, he said 'We'll make our announcements well before the election of all our tax announcements and all of our expenditure.' Now, less than six weeks until polling day, he said 'You'll see it well before the election.' Though he has embraced many changes of opinion in his 26 year parliamentary career, how he describes himself on the political spectrum might be one of the biggest. On May 6, 1996, two months after he was first elected in the inner Sydney seat of Grayndler, he said 'Indeed, my politics as a democratic socialist have been developed from my experience in life.' More than a quarter century later he now describes himself as being on the 'centre left of politics. I think I have mainstream views.'