“Get out of the bloody corporate boxes”: Warren Mundine slams PM for time at Aus Open

Indigenous leader Warren Mundine has slammed Anthony Albanese’s lengthy visit to the Aus Open, likening it to a former PM’s notorious Hawaii trip.

Anthony Albanese has been slammed for spending more time “relaxing and chugging beers” at the Australian Open than he did on the ground in Alice Springs.

The Prime Minister visited the crisis-ridden centre for several hours last Tuesday before spending three nights in Melbourne – attending both men’s and women’s finals, as well as Friday night’s semi-final at Melbourne Park.

On Tuesday, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten defended Mr Albanese’s attendance at the tennis saying “the guy works seven days a week”.

Mr Shorten said the Prime Minister went to Alice Springs “long before” he went to the tennis, and attended a Lunar New Year festival in Box Hill on the Saturday.

“Anthony was working every day,” Mr Shorten said.

“On Monday, I know he was also helping launch our national arts policy.

“The guy works seven days a week. A photo of him eating an ice cream is, you know, neither here nor there to me.”

Mr Shorten said the big issue in Alice Springs was keeping people safe, adding the federal government was working with the territory government and local communities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drinks a beer at the Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews joined Mr Shorten in backing Anthony Albanese following criticism of the prime minister’s appearances at the Australian Open.

When asked about the criticism, Mr Andrews said it was up to others to judge but said the prime minister had a strong work ethic.

“It’s a very significant event,” he said.

“The prime minister travels right throughout the country and works a pretty full week in my experience.

“I’m often talking to him very late at night about work,” he said.

“I’ve known the Prime Minister for going on 30 years and in my experience you won’t find a harder working person.

“People can form their own views but what I know, not a matter of perception but a matter of fact, is the prime minister works very hard every day.”

But Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Price and Indigenous leader Warren Mundine say the move was insulting as the violence and crime continues in Alice, with Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley adding it didn’t pass the pub test.

Mr Albanese at the Australian Open on January 28 with former treasurer of Peter Costello. Picture: Aaron Francis

Mr Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon at the Australian Open on January 29. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s an insult and a kick in the guts for the people of Alice Springs to see the PM spending more time relaxing and chugging back beers at the tennis than what he did on the ground in Alice Springs,” Senator Price said.

“The threats and mayhem haven’t stopped.

“We locals are subject to no longer being able to shop after 7pm as our shopping centres and town goes into lockdown.”

Former Australian Labor Party president and businessman Warren Mundine said he was “really angry about it”.

“You’ve got all these people who are being abused … assaulted in the Northern Territory, and he (Albanese) spent three days lounging around the tennis courts, drinking beer and having a great time with mates.

“This is a bloke who wants to have a legacy about how he treats Aboriginal people and how he’s going to make the world better.

Warren Mundine has compared the Prime Minister’s appearance at the Australian Open to Scott Morrison’s trip to Hawaii during the 2019-2020 bushfires. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“And here he is – the visual of that really, really made me sick.”

Mr Mundine said the Prime Minister and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, should return to Alice Springs and get outcomes.

“The country is hurting. Get out of the bloody corporate boxes,” Mr Mundine told Sydney radio station 2gb.

“The images that he sent out … it’s like the ScoMo one when he was in Hawaii when the country was burning down.”

Newly appointed Central Australian regional controller Dorelle Anderson will on Wednesday report back to Mr Albanese and NT chief minister Natasha Fyles about potential changes to alcohol restrictions, beyond reduced trading hours and sale limits.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was slammed for holidaying in Hawaii during the 2019-2020 bushfires.Picture: Jason Edwards

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said the people of Alice Springs needed more leadership from Mr Albanese.

“If he wants to go to the tennis that’s up to him and there’s no issue with that,” Ms Ley said.

“But the fact he’s seemingly spent three days watching the tennis in Melbourne and just four hours in Alice Springs doesn’t pass the pub test, you don’t get to be a part-time Prime Minister.”

The comments come as Mr Albanese rubbed shoulders with Australian artists at the launch of Labor’s new cultural strategy in Melbourne on Monday, where he called on them to get behind an Indigenous voice to parliament.

The Prime Minister’s office was contacted for comment.

Originally published as “Get out of the bloody corporate boxes”: Warren Mundine slams PM for time at Aus Open