Labor ministers are supporting Anthony Albanese’s decision to buy a multi-million dollar oceanfront property, as the opposition describes the timing as “tone-deaf”.
The prime minister and his fiancée Jodie Haydon bought the $4.3 million, four-bedroom home at Copacabana on the NSW Central Coast, ahead of the couple’s wedding.
But the timing, in the middle of a housing crisis has been called into question, as the federal government looks to push affordable property measures through parliament.
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said the prime minister was entitled to make private decisions about whether to buy property.
“He is about to embark on a new life with his incredible fiancée,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program on Wednesday.
“This man leads an Australian government that is more bold and ambitious on addressing the housing needs in Australia than we have in many decades,” she said.
“I understand the interest but we are trying to address the housing issue that affects millions across the country.”
Mr Albanese said on Tuesday he and his partner had bought the property to be closer to Ms Haydon’s family, who are from the Central Coast.
But while opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said Mr Albanese had the right to a personal life, there were concerns about the purchase coinciding with the debate on housing.
“I have a problem with the timing, and this is tone deaf during a housing crisis,” she told Seven’s Sunrise.
“The prime minister has every right to make plans for his retirement, but I think there are plenty of Australians and probably some of his colleagues that would like to see it happen sooner rather than later.”
Mr Albanese denied the house was bought for an early retirement.
The prime minister said his parliamentary register of interests would be updated once the sale was complete and rejected suggestions the purchase had sent the wrong signal.
“I understand that I’ve been fortunate, but I also know what it’s like to struggle,” he said on Tuesday.
“My mum lived in the one public housing flat that she was born in for all of her 65 years.
“I know what it’s like, which is why I want to help all Australians into a home, whether it be public homes or private rentals or home ownership.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the criticism of the prime minister was unfair.
“He is perfectly entitled to plan a property portfolio. That’s what he’s doing, and most Australians, average Australians, will say, ‘fair enough, good on the bloke, leave him alone’,” he told ABC radio.
“Anthony cops it when sells a property, he cops it when he provides a rent holiday to his tenants, he cops it when he buys a property.”
Nationals Leader David Littleproud said it was a matter for the prime minister.
“The prime minister’s got every right to buy a house, set himself up for his retirement,” he told ABC TV.
“I hope that through popular demand that in six months he gets to use it, because he will be retired by the Australian people,” he said.
“Most politicians at the end of the politics can’t afford that, in terms of the salary we have, but the prime minister has made smart decisions and he shouldn’t be brought down for that.”
The next federal election is due by May, with housing set to dominate the campaign.
The government has tried to get policies through parliament allowing first-home buyers to have a lower deposit for a property but has been blocked in the Senate by the coalition and the Greens.
