Barack Obama in Sydney: Locals slam ex-President’s ‘nuisance’ motorcade

Barack Obama enjoys a coffee outside his Sydney hotel as locals fume at his ‘nuisance’ motorcade roaring around the city – while wife Michelle chills out on a yacht ahead of his $350-per-head speech

  • Barack Obama transported by huge motorcade 
  • Sydney locals have slammed the ‘nuisance’ convoy 
  • Ex-President to begin lucrative speaking gig on Tuesday 

Sydney residents have hit out at the huge motorcade that is ferrying ex-US President Barack Obama around the city. 

Obama and his wife Michelle touched down in Australia on Sunday night ahead of his speaking tour and have since visited several locations, including the Opera House and Balmoral Beach. 

The ex-President was spotted enjoying an afternoon coffee on Tuesday, while Michelle took to Mosman Bay in a yacht, cruising around the harbour for about an hour.

However, the couple have come under fire from locals who have blasted the ‘nuisance’ motorcade that is transporting them through the city. 

Some have asked for information on who is paying for the convoy of black four-wheel-drives, while others have questioned why Obama has such a large security presence for an ex-President. 

Ex-US President Barack Obama was spotted enjoying a late afternoon coffee on Tuesday

Former first lady Michelle Obama leaves the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. She was later seen enjoying a yacht trip in the north of the city

Former first lady Michelle Obama leaves the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. She was later seen enjoying a yacht trip in the north of the city

Taking to social media, one critic asked: ‘Barack Obama is running around the country with a 20 vehicle motorcade.  

‘Why is the NSW taxpayer bearing the cost of his detail? For goodness sake, he’s going to make $1 million or more on his speaking tour, so HE should pay for it.’

Another wrote: ‘One can only hope Barrack Obama and wife Michael waved to the homeless as he swept past in his taxpayer funded motorcade.’

While a third said: ‘Flew in on a private jet. Uses this many gas guzzlers & our police force because he’s “oh so important”.

‘Lectures us on climate change.’

Obama is set to speak at the Aware Super Theatre Sydney on Tuesday night for ‘An Evening with President Obama’.

It is the first stage of a whistle-stop tour that will also see the former president speak in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The event offers Australians – willing to spend between $195 and $895 – a firsthand account from the politician on his ‘path to success’.

Barack Obama cut a suave image as he greeted fans ahead of his lucrative speaking event on Tuesday night

Barack Obama cut a suave image as he greeted fans ahead of his lucrative speaking event on Tuesday night

Former US President Barack Obama (centre) waves to onlookers after leaving the Bathers Pavilion in Balmoral  on Monday

Former US President Barack Obama (centre) waves to onlookers after leaving the Bathers Pavilion in Balmoral  on Monday

Obama was welcomed by swarms of fans on Tuesday morning as he stepped out of the Four Seasons Hotel. 

The security presence around the former President was massive on Tuesday, with throngs of police officers lining the streets outside of the Four Seasons. 

President Obama’s last official visit to Australia was for the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014 – and prior to disembarking a private jet with Michelle on Sunday, had not been seen in public with his wife since last year. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted Obama at Kirribilli House on  Monday morning. 

The presidential pair were all smiles as they posed together for the camera, taking in the view by the harbour while holding black umbrellas amidst a subtle drizzle. 

‘Honoured to welcome President @barackobama to Sydney,’ Albanese captioned  the post to Twitter, which has since been viewed more than one million times.

President Obama’s last official visit to Australia was for the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014 – and prior to disembarking a private jet with Michelle on Sunday, had not been seen in public with his wife since last year.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk