There is renewed chatter inside Labor ranks about Health Minister Mark Butler’s future leadership prospects after the veteran South Australian MP dodged questions over whether he hopes to eventually replace Anthony Albanese.
Last week The Nightly revealed growing discussion among government MPs about the steady political rise of their powerful left faction colleague, who is currently overseeing a massive overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
During a Sunday morning appearance on Sky News, Mr Butler did not deny having ambitions to replace his close political ally as Labor leader and Prime Minister.
“Anthony was only re-elected less than 12 months ago with a huge majority. He’s got a very big agenda,” Mr Butler replied.
“He’s steering the country through probably the worst global fuel crisis we’ve experienced, if not ever, then certainly for 50 years.
“He’s not going anywhere. And you know, I’ve supported Anthony probably more closely and more consistently than anyone else in the caucus.
“I don’t want him to go anywhere. I feel privileged to be able to serve under him, and I think I’ve got the best job in government supporting Australians’ needs in health and disability and aging.
“So, you know, less than 12 months after an election where he won an emphatic victory, I want to see him stick around for the long term.”
Sky News host Andrew Clennell then noted that the Health Minister’s careful answer did not sound like a definitive “no” to his question.
“It’s not something we’re thinking about,” Mr Butler responded.
“I mean, Anthony, I think, said last week he’s enjoying the job. It’s a hard job, but I think right across government, we want him to stay in it for the long term. Certainly I do.”
In August this year Albanese is on track to overtake Labor hero Paul Keating’s four years and 82 days in office, to become Australia’s eleventh longest serving Prime Minister, a particularly historic feat for a leader from the party’s Left faction.
Appearing last week on Channel Seven’s Podcast, “The Issue”, Mr Albanese was asked whether he planned to “leave this job voluntarily or are you going to get booted like everybody else?”
“I don’t have a plan beyond getting to the Budget, getting to the rest of this term. I intend certainly to be a candidate at the 2028 Election. I think that is important that there be some consistency as well,” the Prime Minister responded.
“One of the things holding back Australia from that engagement we were just talking about with the rest of the world was the revolving door of prime ministerships where Prime Ministers Rudd, Gillard, Abbott, and Turnbull were replaced during a term, having been elected.”
“And then I’m the first person since John Howard to be re-elected having served a full term. I think that is a good thing and the stability that my Government has been able to provide.”
Many in Labor believe Jim Chalmers remains the most obvious leadership successor, with the right-faction Queenslander widely considered the government’s best communicator and performer, but others believe his caucus numbers need to improve.
Victorian right faction leader, and deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, is considered another contender, with his support base in caucus believed to be greater than the Treasurer’s.
Defence Minister Marles is the government’s most prominent defender of the US alliance, an unpopular position for many Labor party members, and he continues to wear the blame for last year’s removal of Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic from cabinet.
On Sunday several Labor figures said that Mr Butler’s answers were significant because he was signalling to colleagues he would be prepared to put his name forward when Mr Albanese eventually decides to leave public life.
Inside Labor, most believe the 63-year-old will stay on as Prime Minister beyond 2028, but if he wants to hand over to a successor before then he could begin the transition process next year, and his most favoured option would be Butler, a left faction ally.
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