Anthony Albanese open to cabinet reshuffle if Labor wins election

Anthony Albanese has left open the possibility of changing his cabinet lineup if he beats Scott Morrison and the Coalition on 21 May, noting the mix of senior personnel will ultimately be a decision for the caucus post-election.

The power reverted to the caucus in 2013.

While the factions now select their candidates for the frontbench, the party leader can and does exercise significant leverage in the event they want a redux of key personnel.

Two weeks remain until the election. Albanese will face off against Scott Morrison in the second leaders debate of the campaign on Sunday night, with a third debate in the middle of next week.

Liberals are pessimistic about the chances of holding some city seats currently under challenge from teal independents, but MPs say Morrison and the Coalition continue to track well in Queensland, where the government enjoys a significant electoral buffer, and in outer suburban areas.

Labor holds a notional 69 seats in the 151-seat House of Representatives, so Albanese will require a net gain of seven seats to form majority government. But Labor could form a minority government with a gain of five seats.

The Liberals hold 75 seats and will need to offset any losses with gains elsewhere.

As the campaign enters the final fortnight, neither side is prepared to countenance concessions in the event of a hung parliament. Morrison is also ramping up pressure on Albanese over his performance during the campaign.