News that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has bought a cliffside mansion while many are struggling to put a roof over their heads has sparked a bitter backlash.
Mr Albanese snapped up a $4.3million five-bedder with stunning views of the ocean from every room in Copacabana, on NSW’s Central Coast, it was revealed on Tuesday.
The move sparked debate on social media, with a number of Aussies pointed out the PM was buying his luxury digs during a severe housing shortage, with rents soaring and high interest rates hurting many mortgage holders.
However, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton did not directly criticise Mr Albanese’s purchase during a media appearance – instead saying that the PM should focus on the cost of living.
Mr Dutton himself has an extensive property portfolio – with Daily Mail Australia valuing it at $4.5million in 2022.
One observer said of the buy on social media: ‘I don’t begrudge a person who can afford to buy a house worth that much, what I do begrudge is that same person trying to tell the general population he represents that he understands the pressures we are under.’
‘Nice to know he’s just a regular battler,’ another joked.
‘Labor politicians are simply too rich and too detached to understand real Australians everyday struggles,’ a third said.
The clifftop home is on a 790sqm block of land and a short walk from the beach
The home sits right on top of the cliff on a 790sqm block of land and is just a walk away from the beach
Some commentators called on Mr Albanese to rent out some of the rooms in his new five bedder to help those struggling to find housing.
Others suggested Mr Albanese was already anticipating a loss in next year’s federal election.
‘Well he needs somewhere to live next March as he will not be in the Lodge,’ one person wrote.
‘Take advantage while you can Albo you will be replaced soon see ya,’ another stated.
A third joked: ‘With any luck Albo will have plenty of free time to enjoy the house after May next year’.
The Prime Minister had his defenders also.
‘I don’t like Mr Albanese’s political agenda, and it’s an absolute disgrace that he continues to divide a nation, but I believe that if we want to attract and keep the best politicians, then we should reward them accordingly,’ one person argued.
‘So he bought an expensive home, so he gets a great retirement settlement, so what? Quite simply to get the best you must pay the best,’ a second added.
‘It’s his money. He earned it legally and can do with it what he wants, same as the rest of us. This is still a free country,’ another said.
‘Can’t believe all the dills are having a go at Albo for his house purchase when nothing is said about Dutton’s massive fortune, far more than Albo,’ a fourth declared.
‘Good on him, as long as he is not using public resources. His money, his choice,’ another said.
Mr Albanese will share the home with his fiancée Jodie Haydon, whose family live in the area, 2GB’s Ben Fordham reported.
‘I’m about to get married to Jodie and start a new chapter of our lives,’ the PM told Fordham.
‘Jodie’s a Coastie and spending time with her up there is awesome. It will be nice to be closer to her parents and her family one day.’
The house also boasts a double garage and cathedral-style ceilings.
Having grown up in public housing, Mr Albanese now enjoys an impressive property portfolio.
The house boasts ocean views from nearly every room
Mr Albanese will share the home with fiancee Jodie Haydon , whose family live in the area
Anthony Albanese’s property portfolio
The PM recently listed his three-bedroom townhouse in Dulwich Hill with a $1.9million guide – but cancelled an auction slated for the weekend due to a lack of interested buyers.
The Agency Inner West real estate agent Shad Hassan revealed this week that with no ‘firm commitment’ from an interested buyer, they decided to put an asking price on the home instead.
‘Albo and I decided that it’s best not to waste time, it’s definitely worth the money and we’ll be having people come take a look at it over the weekend if we put an asking price on it,’ he told realestate.com.
Mr Albanese had evicted his long-term tenant, Jim Flanagan, from the property in order to put it on the market.
Mr Albanese also owns a mortgage-free federation bungalow in Marrickville, while he lives for free between Kirribilli House and The Lodge in Canberra.
That Marrickville home earns him between $1,300 and $1,400 every week in rent.
He earns $564,356 a year as prime minister and will have a pension for life for his service to the country.
Pictured is one of the five bedrooms in the PM’s Copacabana home
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