Albanese Makes Final Pitch: Serving as PM the ‘Greatest Honour of My Life’

In his final pre-poll speech, Albanese criticises Dutton’s leadership style, highlights the contrast between Labor’s stable agenda and Coalition’s uncertainty.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks as he and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attend the final leaders' debate in Sydney, Australia on April 27, 2025. Lukas Coch-Pool/Getty Images

With just days to go before the federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered his final address at the National Press Club on April 30, positioning himself as the leader of a stable, costed, and values-driven Labor government.

“It has been both my ambition and honour to be the prime minister of Australia,” Albanese said. “We have worked each and every day to repay the trust that the Australian people placed in us.”

Framing the election as a choice between stability and risk, he contrasted Labor’s record with the Coalition’s past, calling theirs a “reckless and wasteful” government that Labor was still “cleaning up” after.

‘Costed’ Plan for Australia

Labor released its costings on April 28. The Coalition is yet to follow.

“Our agenda is concrete, comprehensive, and importantly, it’s costed,” Albanese said, adding that Labor’s responsible economic management was helping reduce inflation, maintain interest rate stability, and keep unemployment low.

He criticised the Coalition for offering no credible alternative.

“The Liberals and Nationals have spent three years raging about problems that their decade in office created … just militant opposition to our cost of living measures and mindless negativity,” he said.

Albanese also targeted the opposition’s internal disunity and lack of transparency.

“The Liberals cannot agree with themselves, and they are not ready or willing to level with the Australian people … The answer to every question boils down to ‘We’ll tell you after the election.'”

Plea for Stability, Unity, Progress

He made a personal pitch for trust.

“If you value stability, certainty, unity and a clear plan to keep strengthening the economy and helping with the cost of living—then I ask for your support,” he said.

Albanese said Labor would stay focused on “cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines, cheaper mortgages and energy bills, fee-free TAFE, and more homes for Australians.”

Framing the moment as pivotal, he urged voters to reject Coalition chaos.

“This election is not a referendum on the past. It is a decision about the future. A decision about whether we keep building a better Australia—or risk it all with a Coalition that has offered nothing but division, confusion, and fear,” he said.

National Press Club Snub

Albanese pointed out that Dutton had declined to speak at the National Press Club despite multiple invitations.

“I can only assume that’s why my opponent is not coming here this week, because he doesn’t have faith in his plan or his team, or because he doesn’t want to share the facts about his agenda or its costs,” he said.

“The man who spent so much time telling everyone how tough it is, the person who put himself forward to lead the nation for the next three years, is unwilling to face up to the scrutiny of the National Press Club that I’ve done now 11 times as Labor leader,” he stated.

Leadership and Regrets

Albanese responded to criticism of his leadership style, particularly the suggestion that he is a “weak” leader.

He defended his approach, saying that his focus has always been on what is in the national interest.

“I work hard each day, and my motivation is simple and clear—how do we strengthen our country?” he said.

Albanese added that it’s about learning and growing every day.

“What’s important is that you continue to learn every day and continue to grow as a person. Cabinet government is back, and we have proper processes.”

On Minority Government 

Albanese also addressed the issue of minority government, he said Labor was putting effort into holding onto existing seats and contesting other seats, intending to secure a majority government.

“We’ve got 78 seats, and we’re aiming to hold every single one of them. We’re campaigning hard in Coalition-held seats, and in Greens-held seats as well,” he said.

As his fate remains uncertain until Saturday’s vote, Albanese thanked fellow citizens for the past three years.

“My fellow Australians, serving as your prime minister is the greatest honour of my life, because every day is a chance to make a positive difference to your lives.”