The prime minister has declared he was setting his sights on a second term as leader, with the next federal election now less than a year away.
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As federal MPs and senators returned to Canberra for the next sitting fortnight, Anthony Albanese told Labor colleagues work was already under way on putting together policies that would be put to voters.
"We are now in the final 12 months of this term," he told the Labor caucus meeting.
"The work of the cabinet is on crafting the offer for a second term."
The federal election must be held by May 24, 2025 and while there had been speculation the prime minister would call an early poll before the year is out, Mr Albanese has indicated he wants to serve a full term as leader.
In the first full sitting week back in Parliament House since the federal budget, the prime minister said cost-of-living measures would be the government's priority.
He said planned tax cuts that will come into effect from July as well as energy rebates for every household would be the centrepiece of relief measures.
"We delivered a budget focused on the things that have driven us over the last two years, firstly, helping with the rising cost-of-living pressures that people are feeling," he told parliament on Tuesday.
"You can't build a better future by saying no. We are getting on with building that better future."
Praise for his pitch was less than effusive on the opposition benches, with shadow treasurer Angus Taylor tearing strips off the budget.
"Australia needed a budget that took a back-to-basics approach to get the country back on track," he said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was much more colourful in his rallying cry to coalition troops.
Mr Dutton said in a joint party-room meeting that the prime minister had a "glass jaw", saying the prime minister had given "narky" interviews since the budget.
The opposition leader said personal attacks against him had only put fuel in the tank.
While the government had been eager to spruik its cost-of-living measures and budget during question time in the first sitting week back since the budget, immigration controversies overshadowed it.
Opposition MPs repeatedly targeted Immigration Minister Andrew Giles in Question Time over a controversial ministerial direction, which the coalition has vowed to scrap should it win the election.
Australian Associated Press
