Taxpayers fork out nearly $7 million a year for Anthony Albanese's prime ministership
The $6,865,902 figure, calculated by the Institute of Public Affairs, includes his salary, official residences, international travel and other expenses.
Following a recent pay bump, Albanese's salary rose from $607,500 to $622,071 this month, more than what US president Donald Trump earns — $US400,000 ($617,000).
As Prime Minister, he also has access to two official residences — The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney — with the upkeep of the fully staffed homes costing $2.5 million.
On top of that, official work expenses totalled $3,754,921 from April 2024 to March this year, according to figures lodged with the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA).
These cover overseas travel, car use, staff costs, family travel and phone bills.
Just back from a six-day visit to China, Albanese has pushed back against opposition claims the trip was indulgent, defending it as an important step in stabilising diplomatic ties.
It was also revealed last year that the Prime Minister bought a $4.3 million clifftop property on the NSW Central Coast, where his fiancée Jodie Haydon is from.
Amid a housing and cost-of-living crisis, Albanese acknowledged that he earns a good income as PM, but insisted he still understands hardship.
'I understand that I've been fortunate,' he said.
'But 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.'
Morgan Begg, director of research at the Institute of Public Affairs, told The Daily Telegraph the PM could risk losing touch with his humble beginnings.
'Everyone understands that prime ministers need staff, security, and travel, but Anthony Albanese's entourage is becoming opulent and extravagant,' he said.
'For an individual who trades on his working-class upbringing, Anthony Albanese sure does love the trappings of high office.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
PM restates support for two-state solution in call with French President
Anthony Albanese has restated Australia's support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine in a phone call with Emmanuel Macron. The French President was the first major Western leader to conditionally commit to recognising a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) next month amid starvation in Gaza. The UK and Canada soon followed, sparking speculation that Australia could be next. The Prime Minister has neither committed to nor ruled out doing so, but his government has acknowledged the global 'momentum' for Palestinian statehood. 'The leaders spoke about the crisis in Gaza and their ongoing commitment to getting aid to civilians,' according to a readout of the call put out on Wednesday. 'Both leaders discussed their longstanding support for a two-state solution.' The readout said they also 'discussed action on climate and France's support for Australia's joint bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific' as well as 'the importance of finalising the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement'. 'The leaders agreed to stay in close touch and meet again at the United Nations General Assembly in September,' it said. Mr Albanese held a similar call with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, earlier this week. France, the UK and Canada have all condemned Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023 and said the Palestinian Islamist group cannot play a role in Gaza's governance. Though, all have also made clear the civilian suffering in the war-ravaged strip cannot continue either. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would go ahead with recognition if Israel did not loosen its chokehold on aid flowing into Gaza, where the death toll from starvation has climbed to nearly 200, according to local health officials. Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday repeated the Albanese government's condemnation of Hamas and said there was an 'unique opportunity in the international community to isolate and diminish' it while giving life to a Palestinian state. Originally published as PM restates support for two-state solution in call with French President
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Chalmers curbs enthusiasm on reform summit as tax debate gets too big for Labor
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has tapped the brakes on Labor's reform summit, a day after Anthony Albanese talked down its significance. In quiet talks in Parliament this week, the government has been sending a clear message: excited observers should curb their enthusiasm. Cabinet had become concerned about the huge expectations being attached to this month's three-day roundtable, including that it could lead to major tax changes that economists argue may be good for the country but might frighten voters. When unions unveiled a demand for Bill Shorten-era wealth taxes on Sunday, several government sources said it added to a sense in Labor that Chalmers needed to erect guard rails for what has been positioned as the launchpad for a tranche of bold policies to kickstart the economy. According to three well-placed Labor sources, the idea for a roundtable came from the prime minister and his office. Albanese first raised the idea in a meeting with the Business Council of Australia in February, one source said. Chalmers took the idea up with gusto. From the day after the May 3 election in an ABC Insiders interview, the treasurer was talking about how the government 'will do more' on reform. He naturally became the point-person for the gabfest and opened the door to a wider debate, particularly on tax, than Albanese had planned. The prime minister, sometimes blunt with his frustrations, let his views be known on Monday as the drumbeat of speculation about the summit jarred with his focus on delivering popular and less contentious election policies.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Chalmers curbs enthusiasm on reform summit as tax debate gets too big for Labor
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has tapped the brakes on Labor's reform summit, a day after Anthony Albanese talked down its significance. In quiet talks in Parliament this week, the government has been sending a clear message: excited observers should curb their enthusiasm. Cabinet had become concerned about the huge expectations being attached to this month's three-day roundtable, including that it could lead to major tax changes that economists argue may be good for the country but might frighten voters. When unions unveiled a demand for Bill Shorten-era wealth taxes on Sunday, several government sources said it added to a sense in Labor that Chalmers needed to erect guard rails for what has been positioned as the launchpad for a tranche of bold policies to kickstart the economy. According to three well-placed Labor sources, the idea for a roundtable came from the prime minister and his office. Albanese first raised the idea in a meeting with the Business Council of Australia in February, one source said. Chalmers took the idea up with gusto. From the day after the May 3 election in an ABC Insiders interview, the treasurer was talking about how the government 'will do more' on reform. He naturally became the point-person for the gabfest and opened the door to a wider debate, particularly on tax, than Albanese had planned. The prime minister, sometimes blunt with his frustrations, let his views be known on Monday as the drumbeat of speculation about the summit jarred with his focus on delivering popular and less contentious election policies.
