Anthony Albanese urges Labor to maintain its discipline as the prime minister eyes a strengthened majority for a coveted third term in power.
But the opposition pledges to “come out swinging” despite a crushing election loss and uncertainty over its policy platform.
The 48th parliament begins on Tuesday following the Albanese government’s victory at the May 3 election.
Labor returns to Parliament House with its ranks boosted by a landslide victory that handed the party 94 of the 150 House of Representatives seats.
Despite months of poor polling ahead of the campaign, the unexpected scale of the win means the government is the first in almost 60 years not to lose a single seat at a federal election.
The prime minister took an agenda to voters promising further action on cost-of-living pressures after high inflation became one of the defining topics of his first term.
Addressing the Labor caucus on Monday afternoon at Parliament House in Canberra, Mr Albanese called for the maintenance of discipline.
“It also is a product of the collective will of this group, the discipline, the sense of purpose that was there in the government in our first term, one which we must maintain,” he said.
“If we maintain that sense of discipline, sense of purpose, clear idea about why we are here … there is no reason why every single one of you can’t just be returned to the next parliament, but can’t be added to as well.”
The prime minister added the government “must work hard to repay the faith that has been shown in us”.
Mr Albanese laid out Labor’s agenda for the first week of parliament starting on Tuesday, including introducing legislation to slash HECS debts by 20 per cent and increase safety measures for childcare centres.
As politicians gathered in Canberra ahead of the new parliament’s first sitting week, the prime minister braved a winter morning to walk from The Lodge to parliament ahead of official proceedings, arriving alongside his son Nathan.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also addressed her joint party room for the first time since the coalition’s election loss, which cut their numbers to 43 seats.
“On behalf of struggling Australians, we are here for them,” she said, adding the coalition would take the fight to the government.
“Our policies are up for review, but our values are not.”
During the meeting, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce spoke about his opposition to a net-zero emissions target as he proposes to move a private member’s bill to scrap a 2050 goal.
Energy and climate policy remain powder kegs for the coalition as it enters the new term, with the Liberals and Nationals yet to arrive on a position on key issues such as an election pledge to build Commonwealth-backed nuclear power plants.
Ms Ley has batted away questions on the policy area, insisting the coalition is waiting for a post-election review to be completed first.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the coalition was prepared for a tough path back to forming government.
“We have to be humble for what has happened to us,” he said.
“But we can do one of two things: we can sit in the corner in the fetal position and give up, or we can come out swinging.
“And I can tell you what we will do is come out swinging.”
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