By Maani Truu, ABC News
Anthony Albanese.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in the process of buying a AUD$4.3 million (NZD$4.7m) cliff-top home on the New South Wales Central Coast, where his fiancee’s family is from.
The Copacabana property is touted as being “clifftop perfection” with “uninterrupted ocean views from all levels”, according to 2GB presenter Ben Fordham, who first reported the story on Tuesday.
A real estate listing describes the home as “a premiere location to enjoy sun, whale watching or spectacular sunsets year-round”.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home was sold in September for an undisclosed price, according to Domain.
The listing details “timber-lined cathedral ceilings”, a “master suite with walk-through ensuite”, and an “open plan living and dining space [that] captures mesmerising ocean views”.
A spokesperson for Albanese said he was planning to buy a home on the Central Coast, where his fiancee Jodie Haydon grew up and “three generations of her family live”.
“When the process is complete it will be declared on the parliamentary register,” they said in a statement.
The home features “timber-lined cathedral ceilings” and a “master suite with walk-through ensuite”.
Photo: Realestate.com
A senior Labor source described the purchase as Albanese’s “Hawaii moment”, referring to a holiday taken by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the Black Summer bushfires in 2019.
“Rents are on fire, mortgages are on fire and Albo is just working out his Rancho Relaxo,” the source told the ABC.
But another Labor MP told the ABC they did not think it would damage the government.
“I think overall he’s entitled to buy a house, he’s in a relatively new relationship,” the MP said.
“And when is it a good time for the prime minister to buy a house?”
Start of a ‘new chapter’
The prime minister was in Brisbane on Tuesday for an announcement on housing, where he was questioned about the new property.
In response, Albanese said his future wife was a “proud coastie” and “when your relationship changes, your life changes”.
A real estate listing describes the home as “a premiere location to enjoy sun, whale watching or spectacular sunsets year-round”.
Photo: Realestate.com
He also acknowledged that his job put him in a privileged financial position.
“As a prime minister, I earn a good income. I understand that I’ve been fortunate,” he said.
“But I also understand what it’s like to struggle. My mum lived in the one public housing that she was born in for all of her 65 years.
“What I’m focused on is making sure that everyone can get a roof over their head.”
The small beachside suburb of Copacabana is a change of pace from Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west, where Albanese lived before moving into the Lodge.
Questioned on whether he intends to retire in Copacabana, Albanese said he plans to be in his “current job for a very long time”.
View from the cliff-top garden.
Photo: Realestate.com
The prime minister recently listed an investment property in Sydney’s inner west for sale with a price guide of almost AUD$2m (NZD$2.2m), according to Domain.
Albanese said the sale of that property would go towards the cost of the new home.
The Inner West townhouse was in the news earlier this year when the prime minister’s former tenant spoke out after he was served with a notice to vacate so the property could be sold.
At the time, Albanese said he was selling the property because of changes in his personal life.
Albanese and Haydon became engaged in February, making him the first prime minister to get engaged while in office.
He has ruled out a wedding until after the federal election, which is due by May.
– ABC