SUBJECTS: Visit to Perth; Federal Election.
 
BASIL ZEMPILAS, HOST: Triple M, Cold Chisel, cheap wine and Anthony Albanese, the Leader of the Opposition. There's about 50 Anthony Albanese’s on the front page, being Anthony Albanese, so this is the topic of the small target candidate, correct?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: I assume so, I just thought… the photo… that's all people will say. So any paper that wants to put 50 photos of me on the front, I'm up for that. 

ZEMPILAS: Nothing wrong with that.

ALBANESE: And it's a great movie, too, John Malkovich.

ZEMPILAS: It is. Right alongside it is the story about Curtin, which is one of the most Liberal seats in the country being under threat, and the independent candidate, Kate Chaney, from Liberal royalty standing and perhaps running and running well. That must make you very optimistic about the West.

ALBANESE: Well, it certainly will put pressure on the government when they're worried about very safe seats like Curtin, so they've got to contest against us. But also the chances of us winning Curtin you wouldn't put your money on. But you know, they're under pressure, and it just shows how much frustration there is with the government, so that people who historically have been their supporters are just saying no, not this time, like they've had three terms, and there's still not an anti corruption commission, there's no action on climate change, they have issues with women, and in particular, there's these strong independent women standing in seats around the country and Curtin’s one of them. And there's no name more associated with the Liberal Party here in WA than Curtin.

ZEMPILAS: You've mentioned their party and the women issue. Are you confident that you're clean house?

ALBANESE: Oh, all organisations need to make sure they produce safe workplaces. We're no different from any other big organisation. But we have mechanisms in place. And what's more, we have an agenda 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave, we have an agenda whereby, if you look at the make up of the caucus, and the three key seats here in WA of Hasluck, Swan and Pearce, we have strong women running in all of them. And I'm convinced that we can get 50 per cent women's representation in our Caucus, and that will be a good thing, we need a Parliament that reflects the community.

ZEMPILAS: We know we're going to see you again, probably many times, and we look forward to that.

ALBANESE: You’ll see me at least a couple of times during the campaign I was thinking I'd be here during the campaign now I've got to say.

ZEMPLILAS: You thought it would already be called by now. 

ALBANESE: Yeah, It should have been.

ZEMPLILAS: So how long does the campaign go for? It depends I guess, but what’s your prediction?

ALBANESE: Well, it's either May 14 or May 21.May 21 is the absolute drop dead date that it can be held but even that would place pressure on the AEC, the Electoral Commission would prefer it to be on the 14th because it takes time, people have got to get sworn in before the end of June, with things like postal ballots and all of that, you want it settled, but I think the Australian people want to know one way or the other, too, regardless of what way they’re going to vote.

ZEMPLILAS: I think a date would be handy now, I’ve got to plan my weekend. And we got to check the footy fixtures. Just before you go, Mr. Albanese, what should happen with Russian diplomats in Australia? Should they be sent home?

ALBANESE: Well I think a range of them should be sent home, that's what European countries have done and we need to send a strong message. European countries have acted, and I think we should act too. 

ZEMPILAS: Talking about being sent home, if you do win, how does the eviction work?

ALBANESE: I am not getting ahead of myself.

ZEMPILAS: Come on, give us something.

ALBANESE: I'm not getting ahead of myself. 

ZEMPILAS: Have you been to Kirribilli before?

ALBANESE: I have been to Kirribilli, and it's actually, Kirribilli is the servants quarters for where the Governor General lives, Admiralty House. So it's actually much smaller than Admiralty House where I've been to quite a few times for receptions for foreign leaders etc.

ZEMPILAS: Well, Curtain World haven't been called yet.

ALBANESE: Well, I don’t mind living in Marrickville, Marrickville’s terrific. That'll do me.

ZEMPILAS: Anthony, good on you. Thanks for visiting. You always do and you're always welcome. And we look forward to seeing you again. When do you think he will make the announcement of the election?

ALBANESE: I thought he’d do it today, right now, when I woke up, I gotta say, because you normally do it first thing in the morning, nine o'clock, drop it in the papers, so maybe tomorrow, but you know, maybe they've got more taxpayers money they want to spend on ads between now and then. And in the meantime of course I'm, when the elections called as well both sides get even access through lanes and all of that.

ZEMPILAS: I’ve noticed that the entourage is a little bit bigger this time.

ALBANESE: It's a little bit bigger, and then we're all flying commercially around so that makes it more difficult for me to get around. I'll head from here to Adelaide today. So this week, I've been in four states so far, but I'll continue to get around. I'll be back in Perth very soon.

ZEMPILAS: Look forward to seeing you then, Anthony Albanese Leader of the Opposition, on Triple M.

ENDS