Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jacinta Allan meet for first time since new Premier sworn in
Weather, footy and a “shared love of infrastructure” were the hot topics when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Jacinta Allan for the first time since she was sworn in as Premier.
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It was all hugs and smiles when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jacinta Allan met for the first time since the new Premier was sworn in.
“Hey Prime Minister,” Ms Allan said, beaming a smile as Mr Albanese walked into her office.
“Hey Premier,” Mr Albanese said, going in for a hug.
“So pleased for you, it’s fantastic.
“It’s a long way away from us sitting down at regional development conferences in Bendigo.”
Weather, footy and a “shared love of infrastructure” were the hot topics during the Labor leaders brief meet up on Friday between community engagements.
Victoria’s housing crisis was of top priority for Ms Allan, who said building more homes was “the biggest issue we have at the moment”.
“Obviously there’s a big shared agenda, particularly in that housing space,” Ms Allan said.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the centre of Melbourne, the suburbs or the regional Victoria, as you would know from travelling the country.”
But Mr Albanese seemed more interested in casual chit chat, shifting to focus the conversation to their shared experiences in parliament.
“Well, both of us come to the positions we’re in with a background in infrastructure,” he said.
“There’s something I’ve found, being in the jobs we’re in, but that experience makes an enormous difference.
“I was so much more prepared being deputy prime minister, being a minister, and you’ll find the same.”
Among the congratulations and thank yous, the pair also reflected on their 25-year history as colleagues.
“I may not have shared a house with you like the previous Premier had done but I think we go back just as long, when you go back to those days many, many moons ago,” she said.
“I’m just thrilled to be working with you again and to have you down in Melbourne.
“We’ve had a very important relationship in the past and we look forward to having it with you again in the future.”
The Prime Minister agreed, saying “Victoria’s been great”.
“I’ve had a good relationship with Daniel and I’m sure that will continue,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Premier attended the National Police Rememberance Day service, joining hundreds of police, their families and the wider community in paying tribute to officers who died in the line of duty.
“When outgoing Daniel Andrews was asked to reflect on the toughest moments in the job, he named speaking to the families of the officers who were killed in the Eastern Freeway crash: Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constables Glen Humphris and Joshua Prestney,” she said.
“Those names will reach into the heart of everybody here today.”
Mr Albanese was also out in the community, attending the Grand Final Parade and the opening of Collingwood’s AFLW enhanced rehab, recovery and cultural facility, the AIA Vitality Centre.
“The upgraded facilities at the AIA Vitality Centre are first class and sends a clear message to the AFLW, it’s an elite competition and the players deserve elite facilities,” Mr Albanese said.
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