What Anthony Albanese’s office photo tells Australia about the PM as he struggles in the polls: How Albo has a men’s magazine award and a tribute to Qantas on proud display
A GQ Man of the Year award, a model replica of a Qantas plane and a photo with his girlfriend Jodie Haydon are just some of the items Anthony Albanese keeps in his office.
In a photo that says so much about the Prime Minister’s quirks, interests and obsessions, Albanese shared a photo from his desk at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday.
“A little Radio Birdman this morning for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day,” he tweeted, donning a shirt for Australian punk rock band Radio Birdman.
‘Big shoutout to all our amazing musicians, managers, crew and all the employees who make up the Australian music industry.’
In a glass cabinet behind him were several personal items that the prime minister has brought to decorate his office since he was sworn in for the top job in May last year.
Below, Ny Breaking Australia takes a look inside the office of the most powerful man in the country.
A GQ Man of the Year award, a model replica of a Qantas plane and a photo with his girlfriend Jodie Haydon are just some of the items Anthony Albanese keeps in his office
1. Photos of his son
Two framed photos of a young Nathan Albanese were spotted sitting behind the Prime Minister in his cabinet.
Nathan was born in 2000 to Mr Albanese and his ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt, who split in 2019.
One of the photos shows Nathan as a child in a sports jersey, while the second photo shows the youngster in a sports arena, apparently at a football match.
2. Aboriginal artwork
Behind one of the photos of Mr Albanese’s son is a traditional indigenous work of art.
In his first speech as Prime Minister in May 2022, Mr Albanese laid the foundation for his term in office with a speech announcing that a referendum would be held on enshrining an indigenous voice in Parliament.
He campaigned tirelessly for the three pillars of the Uluru Declaration from the Heart – Voice, Treaty, Truth – in the 18 months leading up to the national vote on October 14.
Australians completely rejected the proposal in every state. The ACT was the only area in favor of the Voice.
“My fellow Australians, I would like to begin by saying that while tonight’s outcome is not the outcome I had hoped for, I absolutely respect the decision of the Australian people,” he said at the time.
“And I say to the millions of Australians across our great country who voted yes with hope and goodwill.
“And it won’t divide us.”
3. Model replica of a Qantas aircraft
At the top of Mr Albanese’s cabinet sits a small Qantas plane.
Although previous photos show it has been in the former transport minister’s office for years, it is a sign of Mr Albanese’s respect for the national airline, which has courted controversy this year.
Mr Albanese has also been photographed several times with former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, and his government has been accused of blocking rival carrier Qatar Airlines’ access to Australian airports.
Qantas has seen its fair share of drama this year, including the High Court upholding a ruling in which it illegally fired 1,700 employees.
Last week, the national carrier was rated Australia’s least reliable domestic airline in a damning survey.
The data comes from the October on-time performance report from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE), which showed the airline had underperformed Virgin and regional carrier Rex this month.
It also scored lower than its budget sister company Jetstar.
At the top of Mr Albanese’s cabinet sits a small Qantas plane
4. Radio Birdman t-shirt
Mr Albanese, who sometimes calls himself DJ Albo, is known to have an eclectic taste in music, listening to genres ranging from punk, indie, rock and even a little Taylor Swift thrown into the mix.
Last August he was spotted in the audience at a Gang of Youths concert at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre.
The Prime Minister also donned his Radio Birdman t-shirt for Australian Music T-shirt Day last year.
5. Autographed AFL ball and football
On the top shelf of his closet, next to a photo of his son when he was young, is an autographed football.
Mr Albanese is a self-proclaimed Hawthorn supporter, but which football club he is loyal to is unclear as he has been pictured wearing Swans, Geelong and Collingwood scarves in recent years.
A football, which was the same design as the balls used in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, is also neatly placed on the cabinet.
6. Signed Midnight Oil album cover
On the wall of the Prime Minister’s office hangs a framed photo from the Australian rock legend’s 2020 album The Makarrata Project.
Mr Albanese, an avid Midnight Oil fan, was seen dancing at the band’s Hordern Pavilion show in October last year.
Months later, during the referendum campaign, he unexpectedly faced criticism for the ‘Voice, Treaty, Truth’ T-shirt he wore at the event.
He was accused of misleading the public about the role of the treaty in his push for an indigenous voice in parliament.
Speaking to Shoalhaven’s Power FM at the time, Mr Albanese said he was stunned by the criticism.
‘Who would have thought someone would wear a Midnight Oil T-shirt to a Midnight Oil concert? “I saw that and laughed,” he said.
“Honestly, it shows people’s desperation.”
On display is a framed photo of Mr Albanese with his partner Jodie Haydon, along with his GQ Politician of the Year award. A framed photo from the Australian rock group’s 2020 album The Makarrata Project can be seen above
7. GQ Man of the Year Award
Mr Albanese was crowned Politician of the Year at the 2022 GQ Man of the Year Awards, which he attended with his partner Ms Haydon.
His gong now sits proudly behind his chair in his office.
Australian actor Murray Bartlett, known for his role in the recent hit series White Lotus, won the top prize of Man of the Year.
8. Photo with Mrs. Haydon
Next to Mr Albanese’s GQ gong is a photo of him beaming with his partner Ms Haydon.
The pair met in early 2020 at a conference in Melbourne where Mr Albanese spoke.
The then Opposition Leader asked the crowd if any fellow South Sydney fans were present and Ms Haydon, who lived in his Grayndler electorate, shouted: ‘Up the Rabbitohs’.
Later he introduced himself and they decided to go for drinks when they got back to Sydney.
Mr. Albanese had recently divorced his ex-wife after 19 years of marriage and 30 years together.
He said he was still “emotionally bruised” by the sudden split, which did not involve third parties but came as a shock.
Ms Haydon, who has never been married or had children, said she was not looking for a relationship but realized she had fallen in love with Mr Albanese when he was in a car accident in January 2021.
A photo of Mr Albanese’s son, Nathan, can be seen next to a Rabbitohs plaque and in front of an Aboriginal artwork
9. South Sydney Rabbitohs merchandise
Mr Albanese is a staunch supporter of South Sydney, and his office can attest to that.
A Rabbitohs ball and plaque hangs proudly behind his desk.
He even donned a pair of his favorite team’s socks during the coronation of King Charles III in May.
10. Flags
In the corner of his office hang three flags: the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag.
When Mr Albanese was elected to government, he changed the government’s policy on displaying the Australian flag.
When the national flag is flown in Parliament and at its official events, it is now always accompanied by an Aboriginal flag and a Torres Strait Islander flag – a symbolic change from its predecessors.