Grattan on Friday: Albanese will need some nuance in facing a female opposition leader

Albanese will need some nuance in facing a female opposition leader

Anthony Albanese navigates political dynamics by bringing Greens senator Dorinda Cox into Labor. But dynamics have changed across the aisle too.

Grattan on Friday: Albanese will need some nuance in facing a female opposition leader

Anthony Albanese loves a trophy, especially a human one. He prides himself on his various “captain’s pick” candidates – good campaigners he has steered into seats. Way back in the Gillard days, he was key in persuading discontented Liberal Peter Slipper to defect. Slipper became an independent and Labor’s speaker. The exercise helped the government’s numbers, but the bold play didn’t end well for Labor or for Slipper. The government was tarnishe…