Labor leader Anthony Albanese is staring down critics and says he is confident of maintaining his position. Albanese has defended the party’s primary vote of around 36 percent, insisting it is a three-point improvement on the last federal election. He also slapped down outspoken Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon for suggesting the party has gone backwards and the clock is ticking. “Well he’s wrong,” Albanese told ABC radio on January 21. “He sits on the backbench. He’s just wrong. The fact is we’ve gone forward since the last election.” Albanese brushed off questions about whether potential leadership rival Tanya Plibersek would do a good job in the role. “Tanya Plibersek has the job she wants, which is the shadow education minister, and she’s doing a terrific job as is the rest of my team.” He believes Labor is within striking distance of winning the next election, pursuing a formula of holding …