Leader's Introduction - ALP Special Platform Conference - Revesby Workers' Club - Revesby - 30/03/2021

30 March 2021

Australians are tired of political management.

Tired of politicians who think if they enrol in an empathy course, they’ll be able to tell people what they want to hear.

Tired of politicians always announcing something.

Never actually delivering anything.

Never taking responsibility.

Tired of politicians who are only in it for themselves.

Australians are tired of political management and crying out for leadership.

Because Australians know that real leaders aren’t in it for themselves.

Australians know that real leaders are on their side.

Anthony is the real thing.

He’s a natural leader.

He doesn’t need to be taught empathy. He feels it.

All his life, he’s wanted to help people.

To do what he can, so people get the chance they deserve.

He knows what it means to make the most of what you’ve got.

He’s lived it. He’s done it tough. He knows what it’s like. And he’ll never forget it.

Anthony hasn’t just heard lately what people go through.

It’s not news to him.

It’s why he’s always been on the side of everyday Australians. Why he’s always fought for working families.

He knows the difference it makes for working families when they have a government that’s on their side.

He knows Australians deserve nothing less.

I know what it’s like to have Anthony on my side.

He backed me when others didn’t.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for him.

Supporting women is not something he had to seek guidance on.

There’s no need for soul-searching or public confessionals.

It’s who he is. It’s what he does.

And it’s not just me who has been able to count on Anthony - so many of the Labor women who have been making a mark in public life can say the same.

He seeks out our advice.

We are not an afterthought.

Anthony knows for Australia to be as good as it can be, we need each Australian to be as good as we can be.

With a government that’s opening doors, not closing them.

Enabling.

Listening when people tell him what’s holding them back – not just letting people fall behind.

I support Anthony because I know Anthony.

I’ve known him for decades.

I know his character.

He is a brilliant mind, a giant heart, a down to earth soul.

A man who respects hard work, because he knows what it is to struggle and to work for everything he has.

He has that vision and character Australians know of great Labor prime ministers.

And he will be our next one.

Please welcome the next Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.