Prime Minster Anthony Albanese has defended his resolution to purchase a multimillion-dollar home on the NSW Central Coast as he confronted questions over whether or not it’s a “good look” amid Australia’s .
It emerged on Tuesday that Albanese purchased the four-bedroom, three-bathroom property on the Copacabana clifftop with “uninterrupted ocean and Sydney skyline views from all ranges”, in line with the actual property itemizing.
Albanese paid $4.3 million for the house, in line with media stories. That is about $350,000 lower than its final recorded sale value in 2021.
The itemizing reveals the property was offered in late September. Albanese informed media on Tuesday he and had been but to decide on the sale, with Sydney’s 2GB radio reporting that it’s set to occur later this month.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new $4.3 million home on the NSW Central Coast. Credit score: realestate.com.au
Albanese stated the situation had been decided by his future spouse’s ties to the realm as a “proud Coasty” and was a pure step forward of their wedding ceremony.
“There are three generations of Haydens on the coast there and when your relationship adjustments, your life adjustments and also you make selections,” he informed reporters whereas in Brisbane on Tuesday.
In response to questions on whether or not the excessive price ticket was a “good look” throughout the price of dwelling disaster, Albanese acknowledged his privileged monetary place.
“After all, I’m a lot better off as prime minister, I earn a great revenue. I perceive I’ve been lucky,” he stated.
“I additionally know what it’s prefer to battle. My mum lived within the one public housing that she was born in for all of her 65 years.
“I do know what it’s like which is why I wish to assist all Australians into a house, whether or not or not it’s public properties or non-public leases, or house possession.”
Albanese additionally denied the acquisition was a part of his retirement plan, saying he deliberate to be in his present job “for a really lengthy time frame”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and companion Jodie Haydon introduced their engagement earlier this yr. Supply: AAP / Lukas Coch
Albanese lived in Marrickville in Syndey’s inner-west earlier than he received the 2022 federal election and moved to The Lodge.
He additionally has an funding property in neighbouring Dulwich Hill, which attracted media consideration earlier this yr after it emerged he was as he ready to promote the property.
That property is at present in the marketplace for $1.85 million, and Albanese confirmed the proceeds would go in direction of the brand new house.
Opposition chief Peter Dutton stated the brand new home buy was “a matter for the prime minister”, and wished Albanese and Haydon properly.
However Dutton stated he was nervous about Australians struggling to afford their mortgage repayments.
“Individuals have had 12 rate of interest will increase, and rates of interest ought to come again, as they’re doing in the UK, america, Canada and New Zealand,” Dutton stated.
“However due to Mr Albanese’s unhealthy financial administration, we’re seeing inflation stay larger right here and due to this fact, rates of interest stay larger as properly.”
The Reserve Financial institution of Australia began mountain climbing rates of interest in Could 2022 with the purpose of returning inflation to its 2 to three per cent goal band, and the most recent knowledge .
Greens housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather accused “property investor politicians”, together with Albanese, of creating coverage selections that benefited themselves as a substitute of addressing the housing disaster affecting thousands and thousands of Australians.
“Labor and the Liberals have created a housing system the place a property investor should purchase a beachfront house for $4.3 million whereas thousands and thousands battle to even discover an reasonably priced rental, not to mention purchase a home of their very own,” he informed reporters on Tuesday.
“Hundreds of thousands of persons are in determined want proper now, however the actuality is we have got a Labor authorities with a property investor Prime Minister who refuses to make any adjustments to adverse gearing and the capital positive factors tax low cost, which is the huge tax handouts to property buyers denying thousands and thousands of renters the prospect to purchase a house.”
