Anthony Albanese is not mucking around. Labor has just suffered a disorienting election loss, but Albanese has been out every day this week pressing his case for leadership of the party.
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Indeed, the election result was barely 12 hours old when the senior Labor frontbencher officially launched his leadership bid on Sunday. So far, he has seen off about five potential challengers - who have been variously spooked by his popular and caucus support - and now looks set to be elected unopposed.
There have been some eyebrows raised within Labor about how quickly Albanese got out of the blocks.
But bear in mind, this is a man who kept his leadership ambitions dutifully on ice for six long years. After Bill Shorten pipped him to the post in 2013, Albanese retreated to the infrastructure and tourism portfolios with barely a peep. He did not do a Kevin Rudd or a Tony Abbott and make trouble from within.
Albanese supporters say he put his hand up for the leadership so quickly and definitively because of his fierce love for the party and determination to beat the Coalition.
"Albanese bleeds Labor," Victorian Labor MP Andrew Giles says. (Albanese will tell anyone who listens how much he loves "fighting Tories".)
Those close to Albanese, 56, also say he is more than qualified to take on the role of Labor leader. First elected to Parliament in 1996, he's been on the frontbench since 1998. He has been minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development. During Rudd's 2013 return as prime minister, Albanese was also, briefly, deputy prime minister.
Backing Albanese this week, Labor frontbencher Penny Wong described him as "the outstanding parliamentarian of our generation". Labor insiders are particularly excited about Albanese's parliamentary talents. He was leader of the house (the government's chief parliamentary strategist) throughout the Rudd-Gillard years, including the bumpy days of minority government. He is well known for his capacity to make deals and maintain different relationships and is credited as one of the people who kept Julia Gillard's precarious government together.
His political survival skills are also evidenced by the fact that he managed to keep his prestigious cabinet and parliamentary jobs when Gillard toppled Rudd, and then won a promotion when Rudd toppled Gillard.
As Labor seeks to rebuild itself in the eyes of voters, Albanese also has a strong personal story to tell.
"I'm the product of a single mum," he said earlier this week. Albanese is proud of the fact he was raised by his mother, Maryanne, in public housing in Sydney's inner west.
Away from the politics and procedural stuff, Labor is also pinning its hopes on Albanese's popularity. While Shorten always struggled to connect with voters, "Albo" has long enjoyed a cult following.
Several years ago, a photo of Albanese as a university student was turned into a "hot Albo" meme. He has guest programmed Rage (with appropriately hip choices like the Smiths, PJ Harvey and Nick Cave), performed as a DJ and had a craft beer created in his name.
Since announcing his candidacy, Albanese has talked of his ability to speak to people in pubs, schools and boardrooms. He is well known in Canberra for his sense of humour.
Asked what working for Albanese would be like, NSW Labor MP and left faction colleague Stephen Jones does not miss a beat.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun. He's unrelenting. He's also a lot of fun."
- SMH/The Age
