Immediately after his victory in the parliamentary elections in Australia, the previous leader of the opposition, Anthony Albanese, wants to meet politicians such as US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in person. “It allows us to send a message to the world that there is a change of government,” Albanese said on Sunday after his Labor party won the general election the previous day.
After his swearing-in as prime minister planned for Monday, Albanese wants to meet Biden, Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday and hold one-on-one talks with them. That opportunity is provided by a summit of the five countries taking place in Tokyo on Tuesday. The meeting focused on concerns about China’s growing military and economic influence.
Albanese stressed that with him as prime minister, things will change after nine years of Conservative rule in Australia. “There will be some policy shifts, particularly around climate change and our engagement with the world on these issues,” said the 59-year-old politician.
In the election campaign, the head of the laboratory had promised to reduce Australia’s CO2 emissions by 43 percent by 2030 compared to 2005. In addition, his party campaigned for a massive expansion of renewable energies and purchase premiums on electric cars.
However, Labor has not announced any coal mine closures. Australia is one of the world’s top coal producers and its per capita emissions of greenhouse gases are among the highest in the world.
It is unclear whether the Albanese, who won the election, can govern with an absolute majority or will be dependent on the votes of other parties. Experts say it may still take some time before all 151 seats in the lower house are distributed because of the complicated electoral system Down Under.
