A Critical Discourse Analysis of Anthony Albanese’s Opening Remarks at the 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit

Abstract

This study examines Anthony Albanese's opening remarks at the 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit from the analysis of three stages of description, interpretation, and explanation of Fairclough's 1989 three-dimensional framework of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The study is carried out by employing both quantitative and qualitative and methods to reveal the linguistic devices which contribute to ideologies and political intentions in Albanese’s speech. The study finds that Albanese makes use of first, the frequency of words; second, metaphors; and third, pronouns. These linguistic devices are applied to promote Albanese’s ideology of “a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.” The study unveils the political intentions of Albanese, through such linguistic devices, including: (i) affirming the value of Quad to Australia, (ii) reinforcing relationships of the United States, Japan, India and (iii) approaching and addressing difficulties in the Indo-Pacific region. The study highlights how Albanese navigates the socio-political context of the summit, presenting Australia as a promotional factor of the Quad and an engaged partner in the Indo-Pacific region.