The opposition leader is straddling a middle ground: he is not disliked as his predecessor was, but voters also do not have a clear sense of who he is and what he offers.
With rising vaccination rates and the planned openings, the new year holds plenty of promise. On the other hand, with the unpredictability of COVID, no one can be sure, lease of all Scott Morrison.
On the relatively rare occasions Labor has won victory from opposition, it has done so with a strong reform agenda. So far, Albanese is taking a big – and risky – departure from that.
After the Coalition fell behind Labor federally in recent polls, it appears to have clawed some of that back – and voters are keen on opening up once vaccination rates are high enough.
The opposition has urged the government to provide a $300 incentive payment to everyone who is fully vaccinated by December 1, to accelerate the rollout.
University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Associate Professor Caroline Fisher discuss the week in politics.
With polls showing Scott Morrison in a trough, Labor has become more optimistic about its election prospects and Anthony Albanese is ditching any baggage in pursuit of a win.