How Anthony Albanese could have spilled a game-changing secret to a restaurant worker during a five-day beach holiday with Jodie Haydon

EXCLUSIVE

Anthony Albanese may have hinted at an impending snap election campaign when he told a restaurant owner he probably won’t be able to go on holiday again until next year.

The Prime Minister and his partner Jodie Haydon went on a five-day holiday to Palm Cove, on Queensland’s north coast, this week ahead of the parliamentary winter recess.

On Saturday night, he enjoyed a quiet dinner at local restaurant El Greko Greek Taverna. At the end of the meal, he took a moment to pose for selfies with the Michelin-starred restaurant staff and locals.

Restaurant owner Lisa Grant told Daily Mail Australia she was thrilled to have Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon there, calling it the highlight of her year.

“They were amazing,” she said.

“He was just here for a vacation and we realized that, but they were so generous in letting us take pictures. It was a real highlight for us.”

While staff tried to help the Prime Minister dine in peace, he did have a quick chat with Mrs Grant and her partner James Hendry before they left.

“He just had a week off and he said that’s all he gets, until next year,” she said.

Ministers normally have the option to go on holiday during the December holidays.

Mr Albanese’s statement that he might not get another chance until 2025 could be a sign that early elections are coming. Or he could call the elections this year and campaign before the December holidays.

The next federal elections will take place in May 2025.

Peter van Onselen, political editor of Daily Mail Australia, previously reported that the prime minister could call an election as early as August 31. That means he would have to announce the election by the last weekend of July at the latest.

However, a possible rate hike in mid-August could be a reason to postpone the announcement.

Meanwhile, at Palm Cove, Mrs Grant couldn’t remember what Mr Albanese had ordered, but she could see that he hadn’t ordered any drinks.

“He has a tough job,” she said.

“I was so excited and all the guests were too. Only one person went up to him, but no one else did. We tried to get him a table in a more private area.”

‘We have a lot of backpackers working for us, so it was quite special. They were very enthusiastic.’

Mrs Grant said she and Mr Hendry bought the business last August and were delighted to have an important guest.

‘Hats off to him. He went to another local business another night and went to the local pub to watch football. They’re just normal people.’

His holiday rest was abruptly interrupted on Monday when he called a press conference to respond to the fact that US President Joe Biden had withdrawn his candidacy for re-election.

“I tried to get a couple of days off and now I’m sitting here at a press conference on Monday,” Albanese told reporters in Cairns with a grimace.

‘Can I say that Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles’s job has been made a lot easier by the fact that I am standing here as a result of President Biden’s announcement.

‘I’m on leave until Wednesday, but I’m here at a press conference.’

An excerpt of Mr Albanese’s response was posted on X by the Aus Integrity account.

“It can’t get any worse than this, can it?” the user asked.

‘Prime Minister Albo gives a press conference to tell the people that he had to come during his vacation to give a press conference.

‘Zero credits Albo, the rest of the country works on their days off and makes unpaid overtime.’

Many reactions were equally unimpressed by the Prime Minister’s irritation.

“Honestly this is sad,” one person wrote.

“They barely work a full year and standing in front of the microphone destroys him? Once a union man, always a union man.”

“Bring out the violin,” remarked another.

“We don’t really want to hear from you, so go on long-term leave.”

“Give that guy a medal. A real champion. I almost cried,” was another sarcastic response.