Anthony Albanese is copping heat from both parties over his $4.3 million coastal property purchase.
After the PM acquired the cliff-top home in Copacabana on NSW’s Central Coast he acknowledged his “good income” and privilege as a well-paid politician.
While some Labor MPs have defended Albanese’s right to buy property, members of the coalition are furious and several anonymous federal MPs have reportedly raised eyebrows.
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Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley took the opportunity to blast the PM over the huge purchase.
Ley described the PM as “out of touch with ordinary Australians who are really struggling and really worried in the lead up to Christmas” to Sky News.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton wished Albanese and his fiancé Jodie Hayden well on Tuesday and said the couple were “obviously planning for the next stage of life post-politics”.
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Nationals leader David Littleproud also defended Albanese and implied he was setting himself up for retirement.
“The prime minister has made smart decisions, and he shouldn’t be brought down for that,” Littleproud said.
Labor insiders are said to be privately baffled by his decision to acquire a $4.3 million waterfront home in the current economic climate.
“Several Labor insiders have spoken out. They’re angered by the PM’s decision, especially in the lead up to an election that’s going to be fought on the issue of cost of living,” Ben Fordham, who broke the news yesterday, said on-air today.
“The feeling inside Labor is that the PM has completely misread the room… ALP insiders are conceding this is his Hawaii moment, you know, there’s trouble in paradise.”
Ley responded to claims the ALP was not so chuffed with the news.
“I’m not surprised that the Prime Minister’s Labor colleagues are starting to suggest that he’s out of touch, out of touch with ordinary Australians,” she added.
Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen admitted the PM didn’t consult with his party over the purchase.
“Of course he didn’t and nor should he have. Every Australian is entitled to buy and sell property,” he told ABC Radio.
“He cops it when he provides a rent holiday to his tenants. He cops it when he buys a property. I think most average Australians say fair enough. You know, this is what aspiration is about.”
Amanda Rishworth, minister for social services, said Albanese was unfairly copping it over something plenty of politicians have done.
“It’s entirely a matter for the prime minister and his fiancé,” she said.
“He wouldn’t be the first politician, or indeed person, in Australia to buy and sell property.”
After news of his purchase broke, Albanese defended his lavish property portfolio and said he knew what it was like to struggle.
“My mum lived in the one public housing [home] that she was born in for all of her 65 years,” he said.
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