Anthony Albanese at the Australian Open: Jacinta Price slams PM for leaving Alice Springs for tennis
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Anthony Albanese has come under fire for spending three days ‘drinking beers’ at the Australian Open with partner Jodie, after spending just four hours in the lawless town of Alice Springs.
The Prime Minister spent three nights in Melbourne last week, attending tennis on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to watch the men’s final, women’s final and a semi-final on Friday.
Mr Albanese flew to Melbourne after spending just half a day in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory’s red hub, on Tuesday, leading to him being criticized as the ‘PM FIFO (fly in, fly out)’.
The city has been dealing with a devastating youth-driven crime wave for weeks after the city’s alcohol ban was lifted.
Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a former deputy mayor of Alice Springs, criticized the prime minister on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in tennis with his partner Jodie Haydon in the men’s singles final on Sunday.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said watching the premier at tennis was a “kick to the stomach” for the Northern Territory locals.
“It is an insult and a kick in the stomach to the people of Alice Springs to see the prime minister spend more time relaxing and drinking beers on the tennis court than he did in Alice Springs,” Senator Price told reporters.
‘The threats and chaos have not stopped.
“We locals are subject to no longer being able to shop after 7pm as our malls and the city go into lockdown.”
Warren Mundine, a former national chairman of the Labor Party and a Liberal candidate, said he felt “very, very sick” to see Mr Albanese at tennis.
“You have all these people who are being abused … assaulted in the Northern Territory, and he (Albanese) spent three days lounging on the tennis courts, drinking beer and having a great time with his teammates,” he said.
Both Senator Price and Mr. Mundine called on the Prime Minister and Linda Burney, the Australian Indigenous Minister, to return to Alice Springs.
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said Albanese spent “just four hours” in Alice Springs but the days at tennis “failed the pub test”.
“You can’t be a part-time prime minister,” he said.
Shocking video from the troubled and remote Northern Territory city shows a pub on one of the main streets under siege by belligerent teenagers on Saturday night.
At first, the white youth just tried to block the incoming blows and push the attacker away, but it escalated into a fight after the indigenous teen challenged him to a fight and continued to hit him.
A pub guest who filmed the disturbing scenes described it as “the scariest night of my life”.
Footage showed an Aboriginal girl throwing abuse through a fence at patrons before patrons seated in the pub’s beer garden began fighting with locals.
The video comes as Twitter users took aim at the prime minister after he was photographed sitting next to former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello in the women’s final of the Australian Open on Saturday night in Melbourne.
Mr. Albanese and Mr. Costello looked very relaxed in each other’s company as they watched Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka win her maiden Grand Slam against Elena Rybakina.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured right) and former Liberal Treasurer Peter Costello were seen sitting together at the Australian Open on Saturday night.
Twitter users were anything but relaxed about the situation.
“Reports of Albo flirting with Peter Costello in tennis make me feel really uncomfortable,” one wrote.
“Look, I’m freaking out because I was sitting next to Peter Costello,” said another candidly.
‘Did you know? I’m not surprised. She makes me feel more than uncomfortable; he makes me nauseous,” said another.
“Your skin would crawl,” wrote another.
Many go back to an old quote from Mr Albanese that he likes to ‘fight the Tories’. That’s what I do.’
‘Albo sitting with Peter Costello at tennis. I guess this is what the fight against the Tories looks like. one Twitter user sarcastically noted.
The prime minister proved himself a tennis fan when he attended the Australian Open for three nights, including the final on Sunday night, where he was photographed between his partner Jodie Haydon (left) and Tennis Australia president Jayne Hrdlicka.
Costello returned to tennis on Sunday night, but this time sitting with the leader of the opposition, Peter Dutton.
Some were quick to read the political significance in the seating arrangement.
“More proof that Labor has gone LNP lite… Also, why was Albo sitting next to Peter Costello in the women’s tennis final?” one wrote.
Some tried to rationalize the Albanese’s actions.
“My mom always said ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’ I like to think this is what she’s doing,” wrote one Twitter user.
Mr. Albanese enjoys a beer with Ms. Hrdlicka (centre) at the Australian Open on Friday night for the men’s semi-final.
Several people pointed out that Costello, who was treasurer during the Howard administration from 1996 to 2007, still holds important positions, including president of the Australian Open Nine broadcaster and also of the publicly owned Futures Fund.
Mr. Albanese, who is a social tennis enthusiast, returned to the Australian Open on Sunday night for the men’s final along with his partner Jodie Haydon.
Costello also returned, but this time he sat next to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, while Albanese was flanked by Tennis Australia President and Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.
It was the third night that Mr. Albanese had taken his place in the Rod Laver stands, as he also attended the men’s semi-final between American Tommy Paul and eventual tournament winner Novak Djokovic on Friday night.