Albanese told Crossbench he is “get rid of housing” when facing stronger environmental action | Australian Election 2025

Anthony Albanese said cutting university debt by 20% would be his priority for re-electing the Labor government as he warned multinationals to “get rid of” the party’s housing policies.

Speculations about how the Prime Minister can reshape the ministry and the cabinet during his second term. But Albanes has faced a call to use his increased parliamentary majority to develop more ambitious and progressive curriculum as key labor internal environmental groups urge the government to legislate a strong natural framework and the Environmental Protection Agency.

“For nature, an environment that strives for nature must become a first-level priority for governments. This is an unfinished core labor business,” said Felicity Wade, a national co-convener of the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN).

“We need to move immediately – the window to reform is for the next 12 months.”

Albanis returned to Canberra on Monday after high heels that won the election on Saturday night. The vote count continued, but Labour won at least 85 seats in the 150-seat parliament as of Monday afternoon, with a chance to add a few more seats. The league can be reduced to less than 50.

Labor is also expected to find a Senate that can only pass legislation with the support of the Greens, which could be key independents like David Pocock or Jacqui Lambie.

Albanis said the passage of a bill to reduce student debt was a priority when parliament resumed. He told Monday's press conference that there was a strong mandate to pass the reform and severely urged parliamentary cross-arrangers not to adopt further Labor housing policies.

“I said this message to the Senate and House members: We have clear mandates to build more housing. Supply is supply.”

“Go out and let the private sector build it. That will be one of my priorities.”

When asked about Labor's “naturally positive” laws and plans for the federal EPA, which was put on hold in its first term, Albanis said he remains committed to both ideas.

“I obviously want a federal EPA. This is what the review commissioned by the alliance is suggested. I want a federal EPA that supports the industry but also supports sustainability. I think that can be achieved.”

Wade and Lean are upset about Labor's spikes to the EPA plan, but labor sources say election results and progressive parliament should prompt the government to adopt a more ambitious plan. Wade said environmental reforms may be the core to boost Australia's productivity, and treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was also a first-order issue for Labor.

“The failure of our current environmental law cuts the core of the productivity challenge, as every major economic project in the country requires federal environmental approval,” Wade said.

“We urgently need new laws that bring better results to the environment but also faster, clearer, more transparent development decisions… Environmental law reform is crucial to the ambitions of finance executives.”

Albanese was asked Monday whether most people granted permission to a more progressive agenda, saying the government was already “ambitious” but added: “We were not taken away, we were an orderly government.”

The government's increased majority – including Queensland and its Melbourne MPs have managed to face serious challenges in Victoria, which has created a welcome headache for Albanians: how to manage internal pressure from some Labor members for ministerial promotions.

“We are full of talent. That's the truth. We have a lot of people who can suggest… people have the right to have ambitions,” said Albanes.

Continuing counting in key edifices and Senate races must be determined before the Labor factional system determines how many ministerial positions each state or faction is entitled to. Sources in every state and faction say their members have already fought for more qualifications and influence in the administration’s second term.

Some workforce sources say Queensland’s growth has allowed members of the state to gain additional ministry positions.

Victorian leftists have been lobbying for extra seats on the cabinet table, and some in the faction say they are currently undernumbered. The highest leftist MP outside the cabinet is Andrew Giles, and Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney is also promoted.

The Western Australia caucus has also been competing for another seat in the cabinet after helping Labor win the government in 2022. Right-wing MP Madeleine King is the only representative of the Western Cabinet. The second cabinet position is more likely to be a member of the state's left: its senior member (except Senate President Sue Line) is Anne Aly, followed by Patrick Gorman.

Tasmania is also playing a role, with former state labor leader Rebecca White gaining high profile and joining the Assistant Department.

Asked about potential changes to the ministry, Albanis said he would interact with colleagues before it is released or updated.

He said: “I respect the core meeting. But I said to all of you that if you hear anything, unless it comes out of my mouth, it's nonsense.”