Prime Minister Anthony Albanese chugs beer at Gang of Youths concert

Anthony Albanese channelled Bob Hawke with the time-honoured tradition of Australian Prime Ministers skolling schooners.

Anthony Albanese meant to go to heaven, but he went the other way, according to the rapturous crowd cheering on the Prime Minister as he skolled a beer at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre.

While it is unclear if Mr Albanese bested the chugging records of his predecessors, the audience at the Gang of Youths concert were pleased with his efforts.

“Here’s to Albo,” they sang during the attempt in videos quickly posted to social media.

Anthony Albanese skulls a beer at the Gang of Youths concert.

Albo and Tony Burke in the house tonight for Gang of Youths at the Enmore #auspolpic.twitter.com/LeT5F9FBTY

— David Matthews (@dmatthewsact) August 22, 2022

Mr Albanese traded his suit and tie for a Joy Division T-shirt and beer just days after Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin was criticised for dancing and singing - resulting in an apology and a drug test.

Finnish PM Sanna Marin offers to take a drug test after leaked partying videos. Picture: AFP

There was no such immediate backlash as Mr Albanese, at the concert with partner Jodie Haydon and Labor frontbencher Tony Burke, stood up and acknowledged the crowd soon after guzzling back the schooner.

The scene went viral after being posted to Twitter by SBS’s Head of indigenous News and Current Affairs at NITV.

Quietly enjoying @gangofyouths with the Prime Minister at the @[e-mail]/iikYv7vBwc

— Rhanna Collins (@rhanna_collins) August 22, 2022

Predecessor Tony Abbott was filmed knocking back a schooner in about seven seconds in 2015, receiving mixed reviews as to whether it was becoming of a world leader.

Mr Albanese’s fellow Labor leader Bob Hawke famously set a world record in his youth by drinking two-and-a-half pints of beer in 11 seconds. Those skills stayed with him for life and he was filmed in 2012 drinking a large beer during the cricket.

Bob Hawke in 1978.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott Skolls a beer at the Royal Oak hotel in Double Bay. Picture: Supplied