Anthony Albanese has rejected rumors that he will hold early elections after internal messages from his government were leaked.
The Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, sent a message to his team saying that veteran Labor staffer David Epstein would join as principal private secretary.
The message explained that the hiring had been made when “we entered the election year.”
The next federal elections are scheduled for 2025, however, the text generated speculation that they could be held as early as this year.
Albanese quickly poured cold water on the rumor, calling it a “beatdown.”
Speculation has increased over the possibility of calling an early election following the leak of a text message from Anthony Albanese’s chief of staff.
Gatrell sent the encrypted message to staff on Monday saying Epstein would join the office on March 4.
“I just want to let you know about a new addition to the PMO,” it said.
‘David Epstein will join the office’s leadership in the role of Principal Private Secretary (PPS).
‘This is a role that many PMOs have played and, in short, it is a high-level person on high-level matters.
“This is an important role as we enter the election year and David is well qualified for the role, having worked for the Labor Party in a variety of senior positions during five successive governments and the opposition.”
Gartrell described Epstein as “one of the most experienced advisers out there”, along with Labor veteran and ex-prime minister’s former chief of staff Kevin Rudd.
The messages were leaked to the public on Tuesday and caused confusion among many Australians.
Albanese had said earlier this month that governments should serve out their full mandate, publicly indicating that voters would not go to the polls until at least 2025.
The Prime Minister was forced to reassure Australians that this was still the case.
“If you look at the memo that came from my Chief of Staff, this is someone who will be joining my staff in March,” Albanese told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, announced to the team that veteran Labor staffer David Epstein would join the office as principal private secretary.
“And the term ends in May of next year.”
Albanese’s tenure has not been easy, including the recent fallout from the failed Voice to Parliament referendum.
The referendum asked Australians to vote on whether they wanted the Constitution changed to recognize First Nations people.
All states except ACT voted no on October 14.
Albanese also received the nickname ‘Airbus Albo’ for making more than 30 trips abroad since taking the top job in May 2022.
His trips have sparked outrage from Australians in the past, who have accused the prime minister of neglecting issues close to home.
The Albanian government has also faced criticism following the release of the detainees. in November after the High Court declared indefinite detention illegal.
Documents presented to the Senate last week revealed that among the 149 released detainees there are 37 sex offenders, 72 convicted of violent crimes, kidnapping or armed robbery, and seven convicted of murder or attempted murder.
The government’s delayed attempts to put detainees back behind bars have led to calls for Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to be sacked.
Epstein enjoys a high reputation in Labor circles and served as Director of the Ministerial Media Group and National Media Liaison to Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.
Epstein (right) enjoys a high reputation in Labor circles, having served as Director of the Ministerial Media Group and National Media Liaison to Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.
He was also chief of staff to opposition leader Kim Beazley from 1997 to 1999.
Epstein also served as Kevin Rudd’s chief of staff, helping Labor win the 2007 election.
Albanese had previously said three-year parliamentary terms were “too short”.
“Our vision, our long-term policy, and we have put it to the Australian people, is for four-year terms, but I don’t anticipate that happening anytime soon and I think that’s unfortunate,” he said.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil appeared on Sunrise on Wednesday morning and said we “shouldn’t overdo” something as simple as a text message.
“Something the Prime Minister has talked a lot about with me and the public is that we have had too much instability in Australian politics for a long time, and we are running a government that has stability and good governance at the heart of everything. We yes,” he said.
‘I know the Prime Minister is interested in serving a full term. That ends in May 2025. That’s when I expect the elections to be.”
When asked by Nat Barr if she was “surprised” by the text, O’Neil repeatedly downplayed the message.
“I’m just saying that the prime minister has talked about the fact that he wants to run for a full term and I don’t think a text message is really going to interrupt that,” he said.