Meet Labor’s ‘Captain Handsome’: Is Jason Clare a future party leader?

From quiet frontbencher to Labor frontrunner, everybody suddenly cares about Jason Clare. So who is the man once voted Australia’s sexiest MP?

He’s the Labor man who has taken the campaign by storm, dubbed ‘Captain Handsome’ for his piercing good looks, and once voted Australia’s sexiest member of parliament – but who is rising star Jason Clare?

The MP and campaign spokesperson has taken centre stage on the campaign trial while leader Anthony Albanese has been in Covid isolation, earning praise for being both articulate and attractive.

Labor Party campaign spokesperson Jason Clare speaks to the media during a press conference at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Office. Picture: AAP

As Sky News’ Chris Kenny observed: “He’s a handsome bloke, he’s got a lovely baritone.”

So handsome, in fact, that Cleo magazine in 2013 voted him as Australia’s sexiest MP.

Mr Clare has impressed with his ability to fire off a quick one-liner and remain calm under pressure when fronting the eager press pack during the tense days an election campaign brings.

It has led some commentators – and Labor voters – to note the 50-year-old has the skills and composure expected of a leader, while also delivering effective attacks on the opposition.

Notable zingers offered up by the frontbencher include: “The LNP think climate change is when you go to Hawaii” and “staying with this government is like staying in a taxi after it has run out of petrol”.

As one Twitter pundit noted, the MP strikes the delicate balance between “positive and piercing”.

For those wondering if Labor’s most eligible leader is also Labor’s most eligible bachelor, it is important to note Mr Clare is married to Louise Tran, whom he wed in 2012 and shares two children named Atticus and Jack. He has described fatherhood on his website as “being the most important”.

Mr Clare and his wife Louise.

Mr Clare has been an MP since 2007.

The Blaxland MP has denied any interest in becoming the party’s leader himself.

When asked by one particularly bold member of the press gallery on why he wasn’t Labor’s leader, Mr Clare responded by insisting Mr Albanese was the best leader for Labor – and Australia.

“The short answer is Albanese is the leader this country needs,” Mr Clare laughed in response.

When Mr Albanese was probed about a potential leadership rival in his own party, the Covid struck leader kept to his Taylor Swift election approach by “shaking it off”.

Appearing via video link on Network 10’s Studio 10, Mr Albanese responded to questions about Mr Clare being “articulate and good looking” and a good Labor leader, by conceding:

“Jason Clare is certainly better looking than I am”.

“There is no question about that. He’s a great mate of mine. We have a fantastic team and people have stepped in today,” Mr Albanese said.

“We’ve got a great team and we’re ready to form government.”

Mr Clare is a man of many talents.

He even – gasp – rollerskates! Picture: AAP

Mr Clare has been on the political scene for some time, having served in both the Rudd and Gillard Cabinets.

Western Sydney born and raised the MP attended Cabramatta primary school and later Canley Vale high, from where he graduated as dux.

A lawyer by trade, Mr Clare was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2007, and since then has been re-elected four times.

Belonging to Labor’s right faction, – referred to by some as being ‘the sensible faction’ – Mr Clare currently holds the seat of Blaxland, a seat previously held by former Prime Minister Paul Keating, with whom he also shares a talent for delivering catchy one-liners.

Labor MPs Chris Bowen and Jason Clare. Picture: AAP

Mr Clare has previously served in the Rudd and Gillard Cabinets. Picture: Tim Hunter

During his time in government, Mr Clare held a somewhat diverse portfolio, as Home Affairs, Justice and Defence Material Ministers, along with Cabinet Secretary.

Since 2019 he has been Labor’s spokesman on housing and homelessness, regional services, territories and local government.

Given the flurry of attention and conversation surrounding the Labor’s campaign spokesman, it came as a disappointment to some when his Thursday press conference was cancelled at the eleventh hour.

But chances are no matter what the result is in May 21’s election, Australians will be seeing more of Mr Clare in the future.

Originally published as Meet Labor’s ‘Captain Handsome’: Is Jason Clare a future party leader?