A grinning Anthony Albanese was photographed holding a book titled ‘The Big Con’ during a recent meeting with a prominent economist.
The Prime Minister met with Italian financial expert Mariana Mazzucato last Friday as part of her week-long visit to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
The enthusiastic author shared four photos with Mr Albanese, three of which showed him holding her books.
However, one unfortunate title stood out from the rest: The Big Con.
Anthony Albanese posed with Italian economist Mariana Mazzucato while holding her book ‘The Big Con’ (pictured), amid claims he ‘misled the Australian people into voting for him’
A senior opposition source told Daily Mail Australia ‘it’s great to see the Prime Minister basing himself on his status as someone who is slippery with the truth’.
The title of the economics book was omitted from Mr Albanese’s post detailing his meeting with Ms Mazzucato.
“As our global economy changes, I want to ensure Australia stays ahead of the curve,” he wrote.
‘I spoke to the brilliant Mariana Mazzucato, professor of economics at University College London, to discuss how our plan for a future in Australia means stronger industry and better-paid jobs.’
Mr Albanese and Mariana Mazzucato (pictured together last Friday) met to discuss the Australian economy during her trip to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne
Ms Mazzucato said she and Mr Albanese used their time together to discuss Australia’s economic future.
“It was a great meeting with Anthony Albanese to discuss the government’s economic agenda,” she wrote.
‘I have highlighted the need for a challenge-oriented approach to bring government, business and trade unions together around a green industrial strategy that puts social justice at its heart.’
Since Albanese was elected in May 2022, he has faced increasing criticism of his party cope with the increased cost of living crisis.
The fateful photo is far from the most poorly timed photo of Australia’s Prime Minister, with Tony Abbott’s 2015 Reject Shop photo still a fan favorite.
The then Prime Minister was pictured heading to a small butcher shop in Canberra’s Kippax Fair shopping centre.
However, an ill-timed photo for The Reject Shop showed the Prime Minister with the caption ‘The Reject’.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Anthony Albanese’s office for comment.
The unfortunate photo op was reminiscent of Tony Abbott’s unfortunate photo from 2015 (pictured) in which he was dubbed ‘The Reject’.