Anthony Albanese slammed by Coalition over home purchase: ‘Out of touch’

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has slammed the Prime Minister, calling him “out of touch” after it was revealed he is buying a multimillion coastal property on the NSW Central Coast.

Anthony Albanese on Tuesday confirmed reports he and his fiancee Jodie Haydon were set to purchase a $4.3 million clifftop mansion in Copacabana, but said they were yet to settle on the sale.

But at a time when housing affordability and cost-of-living are top of mind for many Australians, news of the purchase has sparked mixed reactions.

Ms Ley said on Wednesday she was “not surprised” Mr Albanese was facing criticisms for being “out of touch with ordinary Australians who are really struggling and really worried in the lead up to Christmas.”

“I don’t know that he understands the effect of those policies that he and his government have put in place in the two plus years that they’ve been in office on average Australians,” she told Sky News.

“And I still see him standing there in the election campaign saying, ‘I’m not going to leave anyone behind.’

“So many Australians feel that they have been left behind, and it is because of … the lack of leadership.”

Other senior Coalition figures have weighed in, with finance spokeswoman Jane Hume calling the real estate move “tone deaf”.

“I have a problem with the timing and this is tone deaf during a housing crisis,” Senator Hume told Seven’s Sunrise.

Meanwhile, Nationals leader David Littleproud has been spruiking rumours the purchase signals that Mr Albanese is readying for retirement.

“I hope that through popular demand that in six months he gets to use it because he will be retired by the Australian people,” he told the ABC.

But in a rare show of praise, the Nationals leader, who owns several properties himself, said Mr Albanese had “made smart decisions and he shouldn’t be brought down for that”.

Located on a prime section of the Copacabana cliff, the grand four-bedroom, three-bathroom house offers unobstructed ocean views and a peek of the distant Sydney skyline.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Albanese acknowledged that he has “been fortunate”.

“My mum lived in the one public housing that she was born in for all of her 65 years, and I know what it’s like, which is why I want to help all Australians into a home, whether it be public homes or private rentals or home ownership,” he said.

He brushed off suggestions the property was a sign he would be leaving politics.

He said he purchased the home ahead of his marriage to his “proud Coastie” fiancee.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison drew similar ire after he embarked on a family holiday to Hawaii during one of the worst bushfire seasons in Australia’s history.