Anthony Albanese set to attend Sydney Mardi Gras on night of Dunkley by-election

The Prime Minister says he’s not needed on the ground in Dunkley as the votes are counted amid plans for him to spend Saturday night at the Mardi Gras in Sydney

Anthony Albanese has defended his plans to attend Mardi Gras on the night of the Dunkley by-election.

Mr Albanese is widely expected to march in the Mardi Gras which takes place on Saturday night, the same night as the Dunkley by-election.

Last year be became the first Prime Minister to march in the event.

Quizzed on Wednesday about his decision to attend the parade rather than stick around in Dunkley, Mr Albanese said he would spend Friday and Saturday morning in the electorate, before heading back to Sydney to celebrate his 61st birthday with a family dinner.

“I’ll wait and see whether we end up going there (Mardi Gras) or not,” Mr Albanese told Sky News.

“But it’s to be in back in Sydney so I can see my son because it’s my birthday.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won’t be in Dunkley on Saturday night

Sydney Mardi Gras is on the same night at the Dunkley by-election

Mr Albanese noted he had not been in Aston on the night of that by-election in April last year.

“I wasn’t in Aston on Saturday night,” he said.

“Peter Dutton made an appearance in Aston on Saturday night. I did not.

“That is a day for the locals and for Jodie Belyea.”

Mr Albanese said he mourned the fact that the by-election was due to the death of Labor MP Peta Murphy from cancer.

“Saturday will be a difficult day for her husband Rod and for her many family and friends around Dunkley,” he said.

“She was such a remarkable person, gone far too soon at age just 50.”