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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been labelled ‘Airbrush Albo’ for his 2023 ‘Year in Review’ video which highlighted his government’s achievements without touching on some notable missteps.
Mr Albanese also made a small change to his office which didn’t go unnoticed – removing his GQ magazine ‘Man of the Year’ award from pride of place on his shelf after Daily Mail Australia spotted it in the background earlier this month.
The PM used the video address, filmed in his parliamentary office, to single out Australia’s 2023 sporting heroes and Hollywood stars, and celebrate policy achievements.
But he declined to mention his failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, controversy over immigration, and criticism of his government’s position on Israel and Hamas.
The highlight reel earned Mr Albanese what could be the final Coalition insult of the year – an ‘Airbrush Albo’ critique from acting Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
‘The fact he omitted his failed and divisive referendum from his year in review tells you everything you need to know,’ she said.
‘This year the Prime Minister has been called Airbus Albo by many, well today, be it on cost-of-living or the referendum, we are now seeing ”Airbrush Albo”. Australians deserve more than this selective airbrushing from their national leader.’
NSW Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes doubled down on the nickname, telling Daily Mail Australia on Monday: ‘Looks like Airbrush Albo is at it again.
‘While it isn’t a big deal what is on the Prime Minister’s shelf, you’ve got to wonder why his “Man of the Year Award” has vanished.
‘More and more Anthony Albanese is looking like someone who is distracted by curating his own image instead of focusing on the Australian people.’
BEFORE: Mr Albanese’s GQ Award can be seen perched on the right of his cabinet
![AFTER: The award has since been removed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79082603-12874951-AFTER_The_award_has_since_been_removed-a-8_1702933647729.jpg)
AFTER: The award has since been removed
The Prime Minister’s office referred to a year full of policies aimed at helping millions of struggling Australians, and efforts to tackle the cost of living crisis.
‘We know people are doing it tough, that’s why we’ve delivered $23billion in responsible cost of living relief, strengthened the Budget, delivered the first surplus in 15 years and created more than 700,000 jobs since we came to office – all without adding to inflation,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Sneaky Sussan doesn’t like to hear about how we’re responsibly helping Australians because she desperately wants them to forget the No-alition she helps lead has opposed this help at every turn.
‘We kept our pledge to hold a referendum, just like we’ve delivered cheaper child care, cheaper medicines, the biggest investment in social and public housing in a decade and energy bill relief – despite Peter Dutton’s opposition which would’ve kept prices much higher and wages much lower.’
Here, Daily Mail Australia examines what Mr Albanese was keen to highlight at the end of the year – and the major political topics he steered well clear of.
What wasn’t mentioned in Albo’s speech
The Voice
In his first speech as leader of the country, Mr Albanese singled out the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, vowing to take it to a referendum and inextricably tying his tenure in the top job to the result in the process.
If the referendum had been successful, Mr Albanese’s role in establishing the advisory body would have been remembered and reflected on for years to come, much like Kevin Rudd’s link to the national apology.
Instead, Mr Albanese is now forever linked to the monumental Voice defeat.
Every state voted against the proposal and it was overwhelmingly rejected by 60 per cent of the population, Mr Albanese’s personal approval rating dropping from 51 per cent to 46 percent in the weeks following the referendum.
![In his first speech as leader of the country, Mr Albanese singled out the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament , vowing to take it to a referendum and inextricably tying his tenure in the top job to the result in the process](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79072603-12874951-In_his_first_speech_as_leader_of_the_country_Mr_Albanese_singled-a-6_1702933647491.jpg)
In his first speech as leader of the country, Mr Albanese singled out the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament , vowing to take it to a referendum and inextricably tying his tenure in the top job to the result in the process
Immigration
Labor’s immigration policies have been in the spotlight since a High Court decision led to 148 high risk asylum seekers being released into the community.
Some had committed serious crimes like murder and rape, and the Coalition argued the government should have had policies in the pipeline to protect the community.
Four of the freed detainees have since been arrested, accused of reoffending.
In addition to the backlash caused by the High Court decision, the Labor has been criticised for its immigration policies after a record high number of overseas arrivals.
As a result, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil promised earlier this month to reduce overall net overseas migration by 185,000 over four years based on new, stricter rules.
Israel/Hamas conflict
The government has been under pressure over its handling of the crisis in Israel and Gaza.
Mr Albanese has been criticised from the left for not offering enough support to the Palestinians, whereas the right argues not enough has been done to support Israel.
Labor supported Israel’s right to defend itself following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7.
But on December 12, Mr Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong took some within their own party by surprise when they supported a UN call for a ‘sustainable ceasefire’.
Australia had abstained from a similar vote six weeks earlier.
The PM also released a joint letter alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon in New Zealand saying they were ‘alarmed by the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza’.
‘We recognise Israel’s right to exist and right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected,’ the letter said.
![Mr Albanese failed to mention controversy over his stance on the war in Israel in his video (pictured: pro-Palestine protest in Sydney where anti-Semitic slogans were chanted)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79072571-12874951-Mr_Albanese_failed_to_mention_controversy_over_his_stance_on_the-a-9_1702933647749.jpg)
Mr Albanese failed to mention controversy over his stance on the war in Israel in his video (pictured: pro-Palestine protest in Sydney where anti-Semitic slogans were chanted)
What was mentioned
Aussie Heroes
‘The Matildas inspired a nation…’
The Matildas captured the hearts of Australians around the country during back-to-back inspired wins throughout the Women’s World Cup.
While they went down to England in the semi-final, Aussies rallied behind the team and were inspired by Sam Kerr’s girls in green and gold.
![The Matildas captured the hearts of Australians around the country during back-to-back inspired wins throughout the Women's World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79072609-12874951-The_Matildas_captured_the_hearts_of_Australians_around_the_count-a-7_1702933647507.jpg)
The Matildas captured the hearts of Australians around the country during back-to-back inspired wins throughout the Women’s World Cup
‘Aussies dominated Hollywood…’
The PM singled out the work of Australian Hollywood A-listers after an exceptional year for some of our biggest exports.
Margot Robbie starred as the titular character in blockbuster Barbie, while up-and-comer Jacob Elordi turned heads as Elvis in Priscilla.
Angourie Rice has also had a huge year, with her Mean Girls reboot set for a January release in Australia.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79072559-12874951-image-a-12_1702933648018.jpg)
![Margot Robbie starred as the titular character in blockbuster Barbie, while up-and-comer Jacob Elordi turned heads as Elvis in Priscilla](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79072565-12874951-Margot_Robbie_starred_as_the_titular_character_in_blockbuster_Ba-a-10_1702933647768.jpg)
Margot Robbie starred as the titular character in blockbuster Barbie, while up-and-comer Jacob Elordi turned heads as Elvis in Priscilla
‘Bushfires and floods… showed us the professionalism of emergency services personnel…’
While bushfire season is yet to really ramp up as expected, Australia has already copped some significant weather events this year.
Cairns is currently underwater, experiencing the worst flooding in its recent history.
And parts of the country have already experienced damaging fires, with major blazes in Western Australia in particular.
In New South Wales, firefighters revealed last Saturday that 50 separate fires were burning as the state sweltered through a heatwave.
Mr Albanese paid tribute to emergency services personnel who had already risked their lives this year.
The cost of living
‘This year has been especially tough for a lot of people… families are feeling pressure…’
There’s no hiding from the fact that everyday Aussies are doing it tough right now.
Grocery bills are at an all time high, petrol prices are soaring and 13 interest rate rises in 18 months has made it difficult for families to keep on top of their mortgages.
Economists fear the RBA could raise rates again in February should December quarter inflation data, due out in late January, show continuing consumer price pressures.
A borrower with an average $600,000 mortgage has gone from paying $2,306 a month to $3,868 every four weeks.
‘Our main focus has been delivering cost of living relief…’
The Albanese government has offered up a suite of cost of living packages designed to help low and middle income earners.
The PM mentioned several of these key policies in his speech, including lifting the maximum childcare subsidy which has given 1.2million families access to cheaper childcare, and raising the age of the single parent payment from eight to 14.
Labor has also boasted of ‘shielding Australians from the worst impacts of energy price increases’ by providing up to $500 of bill relief for five million households and small businesses.
But the relief is only available for eligible concession card holders – meaning swathes of middle income voters are not eligible for support.
Healthcare Reform
‘We’ve made a historic investment in Medicare…’
Prescription medicine costs have also been slashed for a saving of up to $250million and the government has introduced a 60-day dispensing policy.
The changes were opposed by big pharmacies, who warned it would narrow their margins and force small businesses to close their doors permanently, but Labor has dismissed the concerns as unfounded and celebrated the policy.
In early November, GPs across the country were handed triple the government rebate to bulk bill concession card holders and children under the age of 16.
But the policy has also been criticised because it leaves a huge portion of patients without any additional support.
The government has opened 58 urgent care clinics across Australia this year.
These clinics are best utilised to handle illnesses and injuries that are considered urgent, but not life threatening.
This can include minor fractures, burns, infections, insect bites, eye and ear problems, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections.
![GPs across the country were handed triple the government rebate to bulk bill certain appointments, namely those of concession card holders and children under the age of 16](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79072567-12874951-GPs_across_the_country_were_handed_triple_the_government_rebate_-a-13_1702933648020.jpg)
GPs across the country were handed triple the government rebate to bulk bill certain appointments, namely those of concession card holders and children under the age of 16
Greater Opportunities for Australians
‘We’ve had nearly 300,000 enrolments in fee-free TAFE…’
The Labor government partnered with state and territory leaders to create a $1billion project offering fee-free TAFE courses.
The agreement means people can study a range of courses from aged care, childcare, healthcare and disability care, hospitality, tourism, agriculture and construction free of charge.
Priority places are reserved for First Nations people, young adults 24 and under, those with disabilities, unpaid carers and women facing economic instability.
The Environment
‘We’re acting on climate change…’
Labor has been making headway on climate policy, working with the Greens back in March to pass a Safeguard Mechanism to force large companies to reduce emissions.
There is also a National Reconstruction Fund to fuel investment in clean energy projects.
In spite of the progress in the field, the Greens and left-leaning Labor unionists have called on the government to do more.
The responsible minister, Chris Bowen, attended global climate conference Cop28 recently where he vowed ‘the age of fossil fuels will end’.
![Chris Bowen attended Cop28 recently where he vowed 'the age of fossil fuels will end'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/18/21/79072561-12874951-Chris_Bowen_attended_Cop28_recently_where_he_vowed_the_age_of_fo-a-11_1702933648014.jpg)
Chris Bowen attended Cop28 recently where he vowed ‘the age of fossil fuels will end’
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