View from The Hill: Albanese would be better off if the story wasn’t ‘all about him’

Unless the government pulls up its political socks, Anthony Albanese could find himself spending a good deal of time in his spectacular new home, with its uninterrupted ocean views, sooner than he wishes.

This week’s Newspoll has the Coalition moving in front on a two-party basis for the first time, with Labor’s primary vote at 31%.

Albanese would hope for another full term as prime minister. But if Labor fell into minority government at next year’s election, there would likely be pressure before too long to replace him. He would not be seen as a good bet for the 2028 election.

If Peter Dutton pulled off a miracle win in a few months, Albanese could be regularly whale watching this time next year.

Since the PM’s purchase of the $4.3 million house at the wonderfully named Copacabana was revealed on Tuesday two narratives have contended.

Critics denounce Albanese as “tone deaf” in his timing during a housing affordability crisis.

It was more than awkward that just hours after the news broke, Albanese was appearing with minister Clare O'Neil in Queensland to make an announcement about housing.

from Realestate.com, CC BY The Copacabana house is a story made for that renter-in-perpetuity, Greens spokesman Max Chandler-Mather. Dutton, who has bought and sold a few properties in his time, is careful with his words, knowing others will stir the outrage. The alternative narrative is that Albanese, marrying for a second time next year, is entitled to a private life. This involves reordering his property arrangements ahead of a wedding. Moreover, some observe, the criticism of him is the “politics of envy” or “tall poppy syndrome”. But there’s another narrative. Suddenly, Albanese’s story has become “all about him” again, as it regularly does when he reverts to talking about his humble origins. Stressed voters could be forgiven for being impatient, or cynical about Albanese’s protestations this week that although he now has a good income, “I also know 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. 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. Unfairly or not, the house story will be read by some as a prime minister spending time on his own affairs. Buying a house is a major and reasonably time-consuming process, although perhaps Albanese outsourced it to his partner, Jodie Haydon. The Central Coast was chosen because her family lives there. The narrative can also be cast to look like Albanese is preparing for his post-political life while he is still the most important individual in politics. Whether this is accurate becomes beside the point, in this era when perceptions can be paramount.