There is no doubt that new Labor leader Anthony Albanese has a fair bit of work to do before the 2022 federal election.
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Labor is down following its defeat, but by no means out.
The opposition's fiscal and environmental policies would no doubt be on the top of the former deputy prime minister's to-do list alongside re-engaging with Australians.
Something his predecessor Bill Shorten struggled to do in his six years as Labor leader.
But unlike Mr Shorten, Mr Albanese is self-described as "a bit rough at the edges" and is relatable to many Australians who have had to work hard to achieve success.
He also a strong parliamentary performer which should help him spruik Labor's new policy direction, whatever it is going to be.
As Mr Albanese embarks on rebuilding his shell-shocked party as its 21st leader, he struck a chord on Monday when he said Australians were sick and tired of tit-for-tat politics and vowed not to be a negative "Tony Abbott-like" opposition leader.
"People want solutions, not arguments. They have conflict fatigue. Some reforms require bipartisan support," he said.
"I've always believed that you had to understand and respect different perspectives."
Hear, hear.
Bipartisan and respect being the operative words - something that has been missing in Canberra and Hobart for some time.
Disagreeing with another party's policies just because they are on the opposite side of the house must stop.
If it's good policy, it's good policy - substance politics is progressive politics.
Of course Labor's job is to hold Scott Morrison's government to account, but a chamber where respectful debates on the nation's long-term future can be held is required.
And now both leaders have agreed the way forward, let's ensure we hold them to account.
No one wins from dysfunctional politics or pointless confrontations; let's hope this is the dawn of a new era.