Jim Chalmers calls a “win for the ages”

Anthony wears his heart on his sleeve, as we he know. That is one of the most endearing of his qualities. He’s an emotional fellow and he will know just how important this is to the country – not just to Labor people but the whole place. Privately and publicly, he cares deeply about governing for the whole show. He goes to places that haven’t voted Labor forever and he does that deliberately and so he will feel the weight of responsibility, he will be emotional about it. We can expect that, but he should be very, very proud of what has happened here.

This is a win for the ages, if it happens as we’re expecting, given where Labor was six months ago, given what the expectations were for tonight, given what the expectations were before the Budget and so he has every right to feel proud. He has every right to feel emotional about it. He has pulled off one of the great political victories since federation. That is what we are seeing tonight.