Prime Minister Anthony Albanese forced to insist Tanya Plibersek is treated the same as all other ministers

Anthony Albanese has refused to back in Tanya Plibersek as the environment minister if re-elected, despite locking in four other senior ministers.

It comes as the Prime Minister told The Nightly on Monday that, if re-elected, he would serve a full term and head to the polls in 2028 seeking another.

These comments followed criticism of Peter Dutton earlier in the campaign for “measuring up the curtains” at the prime ministerial mansion in Kirribilli on Sydney Harbour.

But Mr Albanese insisted that was not what he was doing.

“I simply have confirmed that I intend to serve a full term if I have the great honour of being re-elected,” he told Sunrise on Tuesday.

He later said people wanted stability in politics.

“We went through the revolving door, where you had people who won elections in ‘07, 2010 2013 and 2016 removed by their own party,” he told reporters in the marginal Tasmanian seat of Lyons.

“I reckon the Australian people had a gutful of that.”

He refused to say which foreign leader he would visit first after the election. Mr Dutton has promised to visit US President Donald Trump within 60 days if he becomes prime minister.

An awkward encounter with Mr Albanese and Tanya Plibersek at Labor’s launch in Perth on Sunday has reignited scrutiny on tensions between the long-time factional rivals.

He gave a less-than-glowing endorsement of her on Monday when asked if she would continue as environment minister in a second-term Labor government.

But he subsequently said Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell would all stay in their portfolios.

Asked about the discrepancy, he said the “four leaders” got to chose their own portfolios, referring to the deputy Labor leader Mr Marles, and Senators Wong and Farrell who are the party’s Senate leader and deputy.

“There is a market reason why economic ministers would be maintained,” he went on.

“Apart from that, when I’ve been asked about anyone else, I’ve given the same answer.”

He described Ms Plibersek as an important member of his team and again insisted he was “not getting ahead of myself” by naming all 42 portfolio holders.

Under Labor’s internal rules, the caucus decides which MPs will be on the frontbench, in a process led by the factions, while it’s the leader’s prerogative to allocate portfolios.

Mr Albanese said Ms Plibersek was treated exactly the same as everyone else in this process.

“Tanya Plibersek will play an important role in my government. She’ll be a senior cabinet minister, as she’s continued to be,” he said.