Albanese shifts to election mode, seeking trust on living costs

SYDNEY - Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pivoted to election mode, hoping to win back voter confidence that his government can tackle high living costs, particularly housing, after clearing the decks with a torrent of legislation.

The burst of 31 laws enacted in a midnight session on Nov 28 - notably a world-first social media ban for children - raised speculation that Mr Albanese may announce before February that he is calling a national election.

His centre-left Labor government, which took power in 2022, faces a tight race against the conservative Liberal-National coalition in the election that must be held by May 17.

The Prime Minister's public support has sunk in opinion polls as households face pressure from soaring housing, energy and food costs amid global inflation.

"We know that we have more work to do on cost of living, but we are making progress," Mr Albanese told a media conference on Nov 29.

"We understand the pressure that people are under as a result of the global inflation surge."

The message to parents from the social media ban, he said, is: "We have got your back."

Australian governments typically avoid election campaigns during the summer holiday from December to Jan 26, but Mr Albanese told lawmakers this week to start soft campaigning.