But it was the reaction to Mr Shorten's claim that "Richard Marles will deliver immigration policies that are safe and humane" that underscored just how difficult a fight the Labor leader and Mr Marles will face over refugee policy. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten addresses the ALP national conference. Credit:Andrew Meares Earlier this week, Mr Shorten and Mr Marles announced that Labor in government would adopt the Coalition's policy of turning back asylum seeker boats. That drew fire from Mr Shorten's 2013 leadership rival Anthony Albanese, who said - as first revealed by Fairfax Media - that he had "real concerns about the way that yesterday was conducted in terms of the announcement on asylum seekers". "I think that it is absolutely critical, critical that we always remember our need for compassion and to not appeal to the darker side."

On climate policy, Mr Shorten said climate change "is an economic and environmental cancer and it demands early intervention … if the world's biggest capitalist nation and the world's biggest planned economy can agree climate change is a priority, it's time Australia did, too". Labor immigration spokesman Richard Marles (right) with right-wing factional operative David Feeney. Credit:Andrew Meares "Labor will cut pollution with a market solution," he said, setting up a clear contrast between the policies of the opposition and government. He also set Labor a target, by 2025, of having 50 per cent representation of women MPs in Parliament. Anthony Albanese (left) with other Labor frontbenchers at the conference. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

On economic policy, Mr Shorten set out a clear contrast with the government over tax policy, arguing that Labor would require foreign multinationals to pay more tax rather than asking working Australians to pay more GST. He also pledged that, under Labor, the next generation of submarines would be built at home, that Australia would be more inclusive by allowing same-sex marriage and, on a future republic, called for "the next decade [to be] the first decade where our head of state is one of us". This erratic, indulgent government, with their knee high hopes for Australia's future are trying to drag Australia in the wrong direction Australians faced a clear choice between the "habits and fears of the past or the demands and opportunities of the future". "This erratic, indulgent government, with their knee-high hopes for Australia's future are trying to drag Australia in the wrong direction," he said.

"Australians deserve better than a PM who wants to make them afraid of the future. Friends, I know there hasn't been a one-term federal government in Australia for more than 80 years but it's time there was." Follow us on Twitter