Housing minister gives an eyewatering excuse for Anthony Albanese buying a $4.3m cliffside mansion during a housing crisis – as Labor MPs privately give a MUCH more scathing verdict

Labor ministers publicly support Anthony Albanese’s decision to buy a multi-million dollar oceanfront property – a decision that goes so far as to describe the start of his ‘new life’ – while the opposition describes the timing as ‘tone deaf’.

The Prime Minister and his fiancée Jodie Haydon bought the $4.3 million four-bedroom home in Copacabana on the NSW central coast ahead of the couple’s wedding.

But the timing – in the middle of a housing crisis – has been called into question as the federal government tries to push affordable housing measures through parliament.

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said the Prime Minister has the right to make private decisions about whether to buy property, jumping to his defense in effusive terms.

“He’s about to start a new life with his incredible fiancée,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program on Wednesday.

“This man is leading an Australian government that is bolder and more ambitious in addressing Australia’s housing needs than we have done in many decades,” she said.

“I understand the interest, but we are trying to address the housing problem that affects millions of people across the country.”

But behind the scenes, MPs reportedly gave a very different assessment, with one Labor MP telling the Sydney Morning Herald they were “stunned” and another calling the timing of the purchase “bloody awful”.

“I can’t think of a greater act of self-sabotage in my life,” one person reportedly said.

Mr Albanese said on Tuesday he and his partner had bought the property to be closer to Ms Haydon’s family, who are from the Central Coast.

Mr. Albanese’s new five-bedroom home offers views of the Pacific Ocean from almost every room

But while opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said Mr Albanese was entitled to a personal life, there were concerns about the purchase which coincided with the housing debate.

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

“The Prime Minister has every right to make plans for his retirement, but I think there are plenty of Australians and probably some of his colleagues who would like to see this happen sooner rather than later.”

Mr Albanese denied the house was bought for early retirement.

The Prime Minister said his parliamentary register of interests would be updated once the sale was completed, rejecting suggestions the purchase had sent the wrong signal.

“I understand that I was lucky, but I also know what it’s like to struggle,” he said Tuesday.

“My mother lived in the only public housing apartment she was born in for all her 65 years.

“I know what it’s like and that’s why I want to help all Australians into a home, whether it’s public housing, private rental housing or homeownership.”

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the criticism of the Prime Minister was unfair.

Chris Bowen also jumped to Mr Albanese’s defense, claiming most average Australians will say: “Fair enough, good for that guy, leave him alone”‘

“He has every right to plan a real estate portfolio. That’s what he does, and most Australians, average Australians, will say, ‘Fair enough, good natured, leave him alone,'” he told ABC Radio.

‘Anthony takes it into account when he sells a house, he takes it into account when he offers his tenants a rental allowance, and he takes it into account when he buys a house.’

Nationals leader David Littleproud said it was a matter for the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister has every right to buy a house and prepare himself for retirement,” he told ABC TV.

“I hope he can use it within six months by popular demand because the Australian people will send him into retirement,” he said.

“Most politicians at the end of politics can’t afford that, given the salary we have, but the Prime Minister has made smart decisions and he shouldn’t be brought down for that.”

The next federal elections are scheduled for May, with the housing market set to dominate the campaign.

The government has tried to get policy through parliament that would allow first home buyers to get a lower deposit on a home, but this was blocked in the Senate by the coalition and the Greens.