"I've been fortunate… but I also know what it’s like to struggle," Prime Minister says
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has purchased a $4.3 million clifftop property on the New South Wales Central Coast, drawing attention as his government rolls out a new affordable housing program aimed at addressing the nation’s housing crisis.
At a Press conference in Queensland, where he was unveiling plans to construct over 1,000 homes, including low-cost housing, Albanese faced numerous questions about his new property. The oceanfront home, located in Copacabana, roughly 65 kilometres north of Sydney, was previously listed as a luxury Airbnb rental, fetching nearly $900 a night.
“I earn a good income – I understand that I’ve been fortunate,” Albanese said, addressing the attention on his property purchase, as reported by Reuters. “But I also know what it’s like to struggle. My mum lived in public housing for all of her 65 years... which is why I want to help all Australians into a home.”
The Prime Minister and his fiancee, Jodie Haydon, reportedly bought the property in September. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom property boasts expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, multiple outdoor entertaining areas, and an open-plan living space, according to previous Airbnb listings.
But the timing of Albanese’s property purchase has raised eyebrows, especially as his government prioritises tackling housing affordability ahead of the federal election. With the Labor government pushing forward with its goal to build 1.2 million homes by 2030, the contrast between Albanese’s personal property purchase and his administration’s housing policy has become a talking point.
The Albanese government has been unable to secure a Senate vote on its Help to Buy scheme. The initiative, which aims to allow the government to co-purchase homes with 40,000 first-home buyers, has faced a two-month delay due to opposition from a coalition of the Greens and other parties.
The plan, which has been stalled in the Senate since February, is designed to provide first-home buyers with more accessible entry into the housing market. However, with no resolution in sight, the legislative hold-up has raised concerns about the government’s ability to effectively address housing affordability in the lead-up to the federal election.
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