A former political colleague has demanded Anthony Albanese ‘check his privilege’ after he yet again shared a throwback photo of his mum ahead of the federal election.
The Labor leader has repeatedly spoken about how he was raised by a single mother and grew up in social housing in Sydney’s inner-west.
His upbringing has become a fundamental part of his bid to become prime minister as he criss-crosses the country in a marathon six-week campaign ahead of the May 21 poll.
But ex-Labor MP Emma Husar has criticised a photo of Mr Albanese and his mum that the opposition leader has used to remind people about his upbringing, telling him to ‘check your privilege’.
Mr Albanese posted the throwback photo on Sunday afternoon, showing the opposition leader (left) celebrating his 29th birthday in 1992 alongside his mother Maryanne (right), who died of a brain aneurysm 10 years later
Mr Albanese posted the picture on Twitter on Sunday afternoon hoping to remind voters of his humble beginnings.
‘I am humbled to put myself forward as Prime Minister of our great nation,’ the caption read.
‘I grew up in Sydney, in public housing, the son of a single mum. I learnt the value of a dollar. I learnt the importance of resilience.’
The picture – seen by voters many times before – shows Mr Albanese celebrating his 29th birthday in 1992 alongside his mother Maryanne who died of a brain aneurysm 10 years later.
The post divided the public as many Australians identified with his upbringing while others were unimpressed with the continual reminder of his childhood living situation.
‘A public housing Tennent (sic) is not a prerequisite for PM,’ she wrote in her twitter post.
Former Labor MP Emma Husar criticised the photo of Mr Albanese and his mum telling him to ‘check your privilege’
Ms Husar, 41, quit parliament in controversial circumstances amid wild reports of bullying and inappropriate behaviour
‘49% of marriages end in divorce you’re not the first or last kid to be raised by a single parent.’
Ms Husar added that a prerequisite for a Prime Minister is ensuring access to all types of housing for all people.
Many agreed with Ms Husar’s remarks with one person commenting: ‘Are you seriously posting this again – oh lord.’
‘Can u change that broken record? Yr not the only Australian who has come from humble beginnings Yr back story is becoming a bit monotonous,’ another wrote.
One voter said it was hard to trust the opposition leader as he had never helped disadvantaged Australians despite his mother living on a disability pension due to chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
‘He also acknowledged living with a parent on [a pension] whilst now in parliament never committing to a policy to help people on welfare. Hard to trust the guy,’ they wrote.
Mr Albanese’s upbringing has become fundamental to his bid to become prime minister during the marathon six-week election campaign around the country
Others defended Mr Albanese, with one person telling Ms Husar that her criticism was ‘way out of line’.
‘Do you really think growing up in public housing is a marker of privilege?’ another person commented.
Another person added: ‘Nobody said it was a prerequisite. But it gives people hope that are in those positions they can achieve what they put their mind to.’
The comment concluded by branding Ms Husar’s tweet as ‘pathetically bitter revenge’.
Ms Husar, 41, quit parliament in controversial circumstances amid wild reports of bullying and inappropriate behaviour, including an allegation that she exposed herself to fellow Labor MP Jason Clare with a ‘Basic Instinct’ move.
Ms Husar said she was subjected to ‘slut-shaming’ and humiliation during her time in parliament.
Although he had a modest upbringing, Mr Albanese has earned at least $140,000 a year (in today’s money) since becoming an MP in 1996. He currently earns $390,820 as Leader of the Opposition.
‘I am the son of a single mum who grew up in public housing. No-one gave me a leg up in life, but my mother wanted a better life for me than she endured, as an invalid pensioner,’ he said in an interview with Nine’s Today.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared the election is a choice between ‘a government that you know and a Labor Opposition that you don’t’ after he called the federal election for May 21.
The campaign is expected to be full of personal attacks by both sides after the opposition leader called Mr Morrison a ‘pathological liar’ and the Prime Minister branded Mr Albanese a ‘gutless fraud’.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared the election is a choice between ‘a government that you know and a Labor Opposition that you don’t’ after he called the poll for May 21
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