Health Minister Mark Butler has rubbished suggestions he’ll soon become Prime Minister as he clashed with opposition frontbencher Tim Wilson on morning television about the government’s budget back downs.
Appearing on Channel Seven’s Sunrise on Friday, Mr Butler — a factional ally of the Prime Minister who is increasingly tipped as a possible successor — was asked about the relationship between Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese.
“This is an enormously productive relationship, which I watch up close,” Mr Butler said, prompting the Liberal frontbencher to shoot back with a bold political prediction.
As Sunrise host Natalie Barr tried to wrap up the segment, Mr Wilson interjected: “He does watch it up close, because I suspect this is the Treasurer’s last Budget and the Prime Minister’s probably going to fall with him”.
Mr Wilson, who has also expressed hopes of one day becoming Liberal party leader, then added: “the person who’s going to win out of that is going to be Prime Minister Mark Butler”.
Barr the asked: “What, so you think Albo’s going to get rid of Chalmers?”
The shadow treasurer insisted Dr Chalmers had “hashed it up so badly” that Mr Albanese would have “no choice” to move him out of the Treasury portfolio before next year’s Budget.
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“But that will probably be the Prime Minister’s demise, and the person who’s going to be the beneficiary is going to be the person on your program right now, Mark Butler,” he said.
“Total rubbish, Tim,” the Health Minister shot back.
At a press conference on the NSW Central Coast on Friday morning, the Treasurer batted away questions about whether his relationship with Mr Albanese was breaking down following last month’s budget.
“It’s just rubbish, you know and you shouldn’t believe that sort of trash that you read in some parts of the media,” Dr Chalmers said.
In April The Nightly revealed growing discussion within government ranks about the steady political rise of Mark Butler, as they quietly contemplate Labor’s leadership options post Anthony Albanese.
During a subsequent appearance on Sky News, the charismatic and increasingly prominent South Australian frontbencher did not deny having ambitions to replace his close political ally as Labor leader and Prime Minister.
“Anthony was only re-elected less than 12 months ago with a huge majority. He’s got a very big agenda,” Mr Butler said in April.
“He’s steering the country through probably the worst global fuel crisis we’ve experienced, if not ever, then certainly for 50 years.
“He’s not going anywhere. And you know, I’ve supported Anthony probably more closely and more consistently than anyone else in the caucus.
“I don’t want him to go anywhere. I feel privileged to be able to serve under him, and I think I’ve got the best job in government supporting Australians’ needs in health and disability and ageing.
“So, you know, less than 12 months after an election where he won an emphatic victory, I want to see him stick around for the long term.”
Sky News host Andrew Clennell then noted that the Health Minister’s careful answer did not sound like a definitive “no” to his question.
“It’s not something we’re thinking about,” Mr Butler responded.
During an April interview with Seven News Podcast The Issue, Mr Albanese said: “I intend certainly to be a candidate at the 2028 Election.”
“I think that is important that there be some consistency as well. Were I to think that wasn’t in the national interest, then I would change that position.”
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