Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Australia’s new Prime Minister on Monday. That happened just two days after the elections and before the final results are known. For example, it is not yet certain whether the 59-year-old Labor leader can count on an absolute majority.
Albania’s swift swearing in as the country’s 31st prime minister has to do with his first job as head of government. After taking the oath on Monday, he traveled to the Japanese capital Tokyo to attend its first international summit. The summit, called Quad, traditionally takes place between the leaders of Australia, the United States, Japan and India.
In addition to Albanians, Richard Marles, the new Minister of Employment, Katy Gallagher, the new Secretary of the Treasury, and Penny Wong, the new Secretary of State, were also sworn in in Canberra. Wong, who was born in Malaysia but grew up in Australia, will become Australia’s first foreign-born foreign minister.
Climate change
After being sworn in, Albanian pledged to steer Australia more towards renewable energy. Climate has been one of the major election issues in the country, which has been hit by massive wildfires and floods in recent years. Albanian said it would commit itself to this.
Incumbent Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a staunch supporter of the coal industry, has been criticized in recent years for his lack of action on climate change and his government’s response to the severe flooding earlier this year.
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