Federal election 2025: Ghosts of macho leaders haunted Anthony Albanese’s re-election pitch

In an election more about personality than policy, Labor’s campaign launch had to reframe the meaning of leadership.

But it was haunted by a leader not even in Australia.

Donald Trump wasn’t mentioned by name, but his presence floated around the Perth Convention Centre like the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future.

The strongest attack against Anthony Albanese from his opponents is that he’s weak.

Up against the strongman former Defence and Home Affairs minister, the Coalition paints the Prime Minister’s quieter approach as indecisive and too often on the back foot.

But the uncertainty being unleashed by the US president’s trade war is sending voters back in search of stability and a steady hand.

In a passionate and energetic performance in front of 500 party faithful, Mr Albanese showcased his strength of vision to boost up Australia and Australians – and asked multiple times for a second term to make it happen.

Warm-up acts Anne Aly, Richard Marles and Roger Cook painted a picture of a man who used empathy and thoughtfulness to work for all Australians, in contrast to the macho, selfish energy of Peter Dutton and Mr Trump.

“In these uncertain times we need leadership that is considered, not chaotic. Reliable, not reckless,” Mr Marles said.

“Peter Dutton is just too out of touch and too untrustworthy, too arrogant and too extreme, too reckless and too risky to be prime minister of our great country.”

Mr Cook described his long-time friend as someone who “listens, he has empathy, he has energy and tact, and he remembers his roots… but most importantly, he has an actual vision for this country”.

And Dr Aly recalled those roots – and her own – saying the story of Labor was that of “a struggling single mum or the story of the son of a single mum who grew up in public housing”.

Mr Albanese painted a picture of an inclusive country, where people looked out for each other, with its own, unique approach.

His policy announcements – help for all first-home buyers and simplified $1000 tax deductions for all workers – underscored this commitment to lift all, not just the few.

He danced around the contrast with the “every man for himself” approach in the US that has been supercharged by Mr Trump – but stridently warned against Mr Dutton emulating it.

“We are not shackled by old thinking. We are not captive to the habits and fears of the past… Australia’s character has always been our own,” Mr Albanese thundered at the crescendo of his speech.

“We have the courage and the strength to choose our own way.”