Anthony Albanese buys $4.3m clifftop home on Central Coast

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the purchase of a multimillion-dollar clifftop home on the Central Coast.

Anthony Albanese has defended purchasing a $4.3m clifftop mansion on NSW’s Central Coast, acknowledging he earns a “good income” as prime minister while also saying he knows “what it’s like to struggle”.

While he confirmed he’s yet to settle on the sale, the Prime Minister is set to purchase the grand four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Copacabana that offers unobstructed ocean views and a peek of the distant Sydney skyline.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Albanese said he was aware he’s “much better off as a prime minister”.

“I understand that I’ve been fortunate,” he said.

“My mum lived in the one public housing that she was born in for all of her 65 years, and I know what it’s like, which is why I want to help all Australians into a home, whether it be public homes or private rentals or home ownership.”

He also batted away accusations the property acquisition was a sign he would be leaving politics and said he purchased the home ahead of his marriage to “proud Coastie” Jodie Haydon.

“I’m planning to be in my current job for a very long period of time,” he said.

“Jodie and I are getting married, as is known, and I’m pleased about that. And Jodie’s a Coastie. She’s a proud Coastie.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon have bought a mutlimillion-dollar ocean view property on the NSW Central Coast. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The rumours were spruiked by Nationals leader David Littleproud, who sidestepped any direct criticism but said Mr Albanese had “every right to set himself up and his family up for whatever they do in the future”.

“We all have personal decisions to make. He’s a human being. We all are in politics, and ultimately, this merry-go-round ends, and hopefully it ends for Anthony Albanese in about six months’ time,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News.

“And I don’t think we should begrudge any Australian that, no matter their position, that’s what Australia’s built on.”

While Peter Dutton wished Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon “well,” and said they were “obviously planning for the next stage of life, post-politics”, he took a swipe at Labor’s economic management.

“The homeowners in Australia that I’m worried about at the moment are people who can’t afford their mortgages,” the Opposition Leader said.

“People have had 12 interest rate increases, and interest rates should come back, as they’re doing in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, but because of Mr Albanese’s bad economic management, we’re seeing inflation remain higher here and therefore interest rates remain higher as well.”

Anthony Albanese is spending a whopping $4.3m home on a clifftop home on NSW’s Central Coast. Picture: Realestate.com.au

Greens firebrand housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mathew also used the sale to attack Labor’s housing position after repeated calls for the government to consider changes to negative gearing reform.

“Labor & the Liberals have created a housing system where a property investor can buy a $4.3m beachfront home, while millions can’t even find an affordable rental, let alone buy a house of their own,” he shared on X.

“Yet Labor still want to give property investors $176bn in tax handouts.”

The clifftop property has unobstructed ocean views. Picture: Realestate.com.au

They bought the property months after becoming engaged. Picture: Realestate.com.au

According to 2GB, contracts for the property were exchanged in September, and settlement is due to happen by the end of this month.

The property was sold for $1.7m in 2017 before being bought by the current owners for $4.65m in 2021.

“The Prime Minister and Jodie are getting married next year and are planning to buy a home together on the Central Coast where Jodie grew up and three generations of her family live,” a spokesman for the Prime Minister said.

“When the process is complete it will be declared on the parliamentary register.”

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home boasts stunning views. Picture: Realestate.com.au

He bought in the area as his fiancee’s family is from there. Picture: Realestate.com.au

The home has three bathrooms. Picture: Realestate.com.au

The move comes after Mr Albanese last week pulled his investment property in Sydney’s inner west from going to auction after evicting his tenant following years of “half-market” rent.

The three-bedroom townhouse in Dulwich Hill was slated to go under the hammer at 11am, October 12 with a $1.9m guide after it was purchased by Mr Albanese for $1.175m in 2015.

Mr Albanese’s real estate agent Shad Hassan revealed that with no “firm commitment” from an interested buyer, they decided to instead put an asking price on the home.

LOVE NEST

The pair bought the Central Coast property months after announcing their engagement.

Mr Albanese posted a selfie with Ms Haydon in February after proposing after a meal at an Italian restaurant on Valentine’s Day.

Mr Albanese posted a selfie with Ms Haydon in February after proposing at an Italian restaurant on Valentine’s Day. Picture: Supplied

Mr Albanese specifically designed the engagement ring.

“We are thrilled and excited to share this news and look forward to spending the rest of our lives together,” they said.

The pair have been together since meeting at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2019.

“I slid into his DMs,” she told News Corp.

“He had a public profile and I didn’t, so I knew that we both followed the same footy team, we both had a love for the inner west and I think I said in that direct message ‘hey, we’re both single’.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese buys $4.3m clifftop home on Central Coast