Awkward moment as Jacinta Allan, Anthony Albanese finally reunite on campaign trail

After missing in action during recent visits, Premier Jacinta Allan has finally re-emerged on the campaign trail, dodging awkward questions about whether her brand will jeopardise federal Labor’s re-election bid.

Jacinta Allan has dodged awkward questions about whether her brand could jeopardise federal Labor’s re-election bid, as she joined Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail.

The Premier finally met with the Prime Minister on Monday morning, as he toured Melbourne for a third time since he began his election campaign more than a week ago.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reunites with Premier Jacinta Allan as the election campaign rolls into Sunshine. Picture: NewsWire

The pair’s public meeting came after weeks of speculation that federal Labor’s campaign team had directed Ms Allan to not campaign alongside Mr Albanese amid fears it could have repercussions on the party’s hopes of retaining key Victorian seats.

There is a strong view among Labor insiders that being associated with Ms Allan — whose popularity has taken a battering in recent polling — could be damaging to Mr Albanese’s hopes of a second term as PM.

Premier Jacinta Allan has been notably absent during the Prime Minister’s previous campaign visits to Victoria. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

During a press conference at Sunshine station on Monday, Ms Allan was asked if she would feel responsible if Mr Albanese’s vote was to go backwards in Victoria.

“Quite frankly I’m going to leave the commentary to others,” she said.

“What Victorians should be focused on, and what I know Victorians are focused on, is a choice – a choice between a Prime Minister and the Labor government that’s backing Medicare, that’s backing the infrastructure projects our city and state needs and wants, as opposed to a Dutton government and a Liberal offering that’s all about cuts.

Premier Allan finally met with Anthony Albanese as he toured Melbourne for a third time since he began his election campaign. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

“Victorians know this because we’ve seen all of this before. Money ripped out of the Metro Tunnel, money ripped out of our hospital system, a GP system that was brought to its knees because of these cuts. That’s what Victorians are focused on and I can tell you quite clearly that’s also what I’m focused on and I’ll be fighting for Victorians every single day.”

After concluding her answer Ms Allan immediately walked away from the microphones, as Mr Albanese stepped forward, despite reporters attempting to ask her follow up questions.

Polling released last week showed support for Victorian Labor was sitting at a worrying 24 per cent, only a slight increase from when the party’s primary vote cratered to a record low of 22 per cent over the Christmas break.

Pollsters expect a handful of key seats in Victoria could decide the fate of the 2025 federal election, with both Mr Albanese and federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to target the state heavily.

Polling released last week showed support for Victorian Labor was sitting at a worrying 24 per cent. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Opposition leader Brad Battin claimed it would be the last time that Mr Albanese and Ms Allan were seen together during the campaign.

“It’s taken a while for them to appear together and from what I understand and looked at, it was quite an awkward one,” he said.

“I guarantee you won’t see them together again between now and election day.

“Allan and Albanese are double trouble here for this state.

“We need to make sure that Victorians are aware of that.”

Mr Battin said he was unable to meet with Peter Dutton when he was in town last week, but attended his campaign launch and will join him on the trail “as soon as possible”.

Originally published as Awkward moment as Jacinta Allan, Anthony Albanese finally reunite on campaign trail