Anthony Albanese to be sworn in as Australia's new prime minister ahead of Quad meeting in Tokyo

Mr Albanese will fly to Tokyo later today for the crucial summit with leaders of the US, Japan and India where he is expected to discuss his government's ambitions to tackle climate change and pursue a stronger foreign policy in the region.

ELECTION22 LABOR RECEPTION

Anthony Albanese speaks after winning the 2022 Federal Election, at the Federal Labor Reception at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club in Sydney, on Saturday, 21 May, 2022. Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE

Anthony Albanese will be sworn in as Australia's 31st prime minister just hours ahead of a trip to Tokyo to meet with US President Joe Biden.

With counting from Saturday's election yet to confirm whether he will govern in majority, Mr Albanese will on Monday attend Government House in Canberra with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, incoming foreign minister Penny Wong, and new treasurer Jim Chalmers and new finance minister Katy Gallagher.

The ministers will cover all portfolios until the Labor caucus can meet in the week after next to put in place the full ministry.

Mr Albanese and Senator Wong will head to Tokyo on Monday afternoon for the Quad meeting with Mr Biden, host leader Fumio Kishida and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
The prime minister-elect issued a statement on Sunday night, saying he would use the meeting to discuss his government's ambitions to tackle climate change and pursue a stronger foreign policy focus on the region.

"This will be my first international trip as prime minister and I am honoured to represent Australia at this important forum," the statement read.

"The Quad Leaders' Summit brings together four leaders of great liberal democracies - Australia, Japan, India, and the United States of America - in support of a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its centre.

"Under my government, Australia will continue to work through the Quad to deliver positive and practical initiatives in our region, including on health, security, and climate change."
Official figures from the Australian Electoral Commission have Labor on 75 seats in the House of Representatives - one short of a majority - but the party is projected to hold as many as 77.

The Liberal-National coalition held 52 seats, with Scott Morrison set to stand down from the Liberal Party leadership once a party room meeting can be scheduled.

An emotional Mr Morrison told his local Horizon Church on Sunday that a life of faith called on people to "trust and obey".

He is widely expected to be replaced by outgoing defence minister Peter Dutton, who may face resistance from moderates in the party.

Mr Albanese will return to Australia on Wednesday.

One of the first major events in the next two weeks will be a meeting with state premiers and territory chief ministers when he will set out the new federal government's stance on more ambitious climate action.

Ten independents are on track for victory and will be joined on the crossbench by sitting Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie from the Centre Alliance and veteran Kennedy MP Bob Katter.
The AEC has listed 13 seats where the two-candidate preferred vote is so far unavailable: Bradfield, Calare, Canberra, Cowper, Grey, Griffith, Hinkler, Macnamara, Maranoa, Melbourne, Richmond, Ryan and Sydney.

Four seats are formally listed as "close": Sturt, Gilmore, Menzies and Moore.

Incumbent MPs are trailing in 18 seats: Swan, Pearce, Tangney, Hasluck, Curtin (WA); Chisholm, Higgins, Kooyong, Goldstein, Deakin (Victoria); Wentworth, Reid, North Sydney, Robertson, Mackellar, Fowler and Bennelong (NSW), and Boothby (SA).

The final result has been projected as 77 for Labor, 59 for the coalition and 15 on the crossbench.

Outgoing deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce said his future as Nationals leader was in the hands of his partyroom colleagues.

Independent candidates elected on Saturday will be pushing the government to deliver on three issues: a more ambitious climate policy, a national integrity commission and women's equality.

Monique Ryan, who is on track to seize the seat of Kooyong from outgoing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, said voters had responded to a coalition government shifting "too far to the right".

Moderate Liberal and outgoing minister Simon Birmingham said the party needed to step up its 2030 emissions target and do more to preselect women in safe seats.

The Greens, having secured a record primary vote, are on track to hold 12 Senate seats in the new parliament and up to five lower house seats.

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Published 23 May 2022 5:34am
Source: AAP, SBS


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