Is this the most awkward staff photo EVER? Anthony Albanese looks very out of place posing with female Labor MPs for International Women’s Day – with his leadership rival standing right behind him
- Awkward staff photo comes after calls for leadership change in the Labor Party
- Speculation that leadership rival Tanya Plibersek could replace Mr Albanese
- Union boss Elizabeth Doidge said Ms Plibersek would be ‘a fantastic leader’
- Mounting pressure after Joel Fitzgibbon resigned in protest at Labor leadership
Anthony Albanese’s attempt to celebrate International Women’s Day by showing off the Labor Party’s many female MPs has just made him look awkward.
The opposition leader looked out of place and uncomfortable standing in front of the 36 women for the photoshoot on Wednesday morning.
Even more awkward was his leadership rival Tanya Plibersek standing right behind him, prompting some to joke she was ready to stab him in the back.
Leadership rival Tanya Plibersek stands behind Mr Albanese in the awkward staff photo
Calls for Ms Plibersek to replace Mr Albanese as Labor Leader continue as he struggles to compete with Scott Morrison.
CFMEU national political organiser Elizabeth Doidge called for a change in leadership in the Labor Party on February 17.
The union official said Ms Plibersek had a better chance to lead Labor to a victory, after union polling placed Labor on track to lose New South Wales seats of Shortland and Paterson in the next election.
‘He can’t unite the party, he can’t unite the unions, he doesn’t have the leadership the party needs to win a federal election,’ Ms Doidge told The Australian.
‘We definitely want a change of leadership. I’m not necessarily saying it needs to be Plibersek, but it definitely needs to be someone other than Anthony Albanese.
‘I would love to see Plibersek up there, I think she would be a fantastic leader,’ she added.
Union leader Elizabeth Doidge has called for a change in leadership in the Labor Party, saying Mr Albanese can’t unite the party or the unions
The union commissioned a poll of 955 voters which revealed Labor’s primary vote in Shortland electorate had dropped 13 points since the election to 28 per cent, following the Liberals on 45 per cent.
In nearby Paterson, Labor’s primary vote fell to 30 per cent, compared with 43 per cent for the Liberals.
Ms Doidge’s comments place further strain on Mr Albanese’s leadership, which took a hit after Joel Fitzgibbon resigned from the frontbench in November.
The Hunter MP threatened to topple the left-wing leader if Labor wasn’t moved to the centre and focused on the economy instead of climate change.
Anthony Albanese under pressure to improve his performance as Labor leader with party trailing in polls
Ms Plibersek announced she would contest the Labor leadership in 2019, but bowed out only 24 hours later, citing family responsibilities.
‘Now is not my time,’ she said. ‘I know some people will be disappointed with this decision.
‘I will serve in whatever capacity my colleagues best think can help Labor return to government.’
The latest Newspoll on 29 November put Mr Morrison 32 points ahead of Mr Albanese as preferred prime minister, although the parties were close with the Coalition leading 51-49.