Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced backlash for purchasing a $4.3 million beach house on the New South Wales Central Coast amid the ongoing housing affordability crisis in the country. Many have questioned the timing of the purchase, particularly as the government is currently working on affordable housing policies.
Opposition politicians and members of the public have expressed concerns that the Prime Minister’s purchase is out of touch with the struggles faced by many Australians who are grappling to find affordable housing.
The property in question is a house in Copacabana with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a carport for three cars with stunning views.
Albanese stated that he “empathizes” with people’s struggles. The BBC suggests that he acknowledged being “better off” than many Australians due to his income, yet he maintained that he could still empathize with their difficulties.
During a press conference, he highlighted his mother’s living conditions, noting that she lived in the same public housing for all 65 years of her life. He emphasized that his experiences inform his desire to help all Australians secure a home.