At the conclusion of last week’s Labor national conference, Nine Newspapers’ Rob Harris made Anthony Albanese’s frustrations clear.

Albanese appeared in the media room of the conference on the final day to complain about the media’s coverage of Ed Husic’s dissent.

As Harris reported, Albanese said:

“I think I know the Labor Party better than whoever you’ve been speaking to, and I don’t even know who they are,” he snapped, determined to frame Husic as a loner without any institutional backing. 

“Four hundred delegates, and he couldn’t find a seconder.”

Harris was right to report the comments. It’s important that people understand the frustrations of their leaders, and in controlling his caucus, Albanese often makes the mistake he can also control the media by unilaterally stating something is off the record without journalist agreement.

But the comments also point to where Albanese is going wrong.

In controlling his caucus, confusing a lack of dissent for the right way, Albanese seems to think he should also control how people feel. 

This is ironic for a number of reasons, not least because Albanese is famously an emotional player. His emotions don’t just hum under the surface, they vibrate. 

He’s can not hide his anger, displeasure, joy or satisfaction. You don’t need to hear Albanese speak to know........

© The New Daily