Anthony Albanese has fired the starting gun on a Labor leadership contest according to some Coalition members, after the opposition frontbencher called for Labor to rethink its ideological blueprint.

Unveiling his ALP reform agenda in a speech at the Whitlam Oration on Friday, Albanese called for the party to better engage with the business sector and non-unionists. This was an obvious affront to Shorten’s “war with business” mantra, which has motivated much of his campaign against the top end of town.

Australian Conservatives Leader Senator Cory Bernardi says the comments could easily kick-start an ongoing leadership rift.

“I would characterise what Albanese did as Albo’s ambush,” says Bernardi.

“He’s preparing himself for a poor by-election result for the Labor Party in the seat of Longman, where it’s in a knife’s edge in the polls, and in Braddon, where they look like they’re going to lose. He knows the sharks will be circling for Bill Shorten. I suspect this will start leadership rumblings.”

Bernardi suspects the possibility of a leadership spill will prompt Turnbull to call an election before the end of the year.

“Though Albanese is a left-leaning person, he has a popular appeal. People think they can relate to him.”

“I think Turnbull will recognise that Bill Shorten is his greatest asset and will go to an election before the end of the year.”

Anthony Albanese has fired the starting gun on a Labor leadership contest according to some Coalition members, after the opposition frontbencher called for Labor to rethink its ideological blueprint.
Unveiling his ALP reform agenda in a speech at the Whitlam Oration on Friday, Albanese called for the party to better engage with the business sector and non-unionists. This was an obvious affront to Shorten&rsquo;s &ldquo;war with business&rdquo; mantra, which has motivated much of his campaign against the top end of town.
Australian Conservatives Leader Senator Cory Bernardi says the comments could easily kick-start an ongoing leadership rift.
&ldquo;I would characterise what Albanese did as Albo&rsquo;s ambush,&rdquo; says Bernardi.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s preparing himself for a poor by-election result for the Labor Party in the seat of Longman, where it&rsquo;s in a knife&rsquo;s edge in the polls, and in Braddon, where they look like they&rsquo;re going to lose. He knows the sharks will be circling for Bill Shorten. I suspect this will start leadership rumblings.&rdquo;
Bernardi suspects the possibility of a leadership spill will prompt&nbsp;Turnbull to call an election before the end of the year.
&ldquo;Though Albanese is a left-leaning person, he has a popular appeal. People think they can relate to him.&rdquo;
&ldquo;I think Turnbull will recognise that Bill Shorten is his greatest asset and will go to an election before the end of the year.&rdquo;

Australia Overnight with Mike Jeffreys, 12am – 4am weekdays.

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Australia Overnight with Mike Jeffreys, 12am – 4am weekdays.
Wake Up Australia, 4am - 9:30am weekdays.

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