PM Anthony Albanese puts family dinner before Mardi Gras, Dunkley by-election result

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “probably” won’t be attending the Sydney Mardi Gras or Dunkley by-election result on Saturday night because he will be celebrating his birthday with family.

Anthony Albanese does not plan to attend Mardi Gras or Dunkley on Saturday night, instead choosing to mark his 61st birthday with a family dinner.

Speaking to the Herald Sun ahead of the Dunkley by-election, the Prime Minister signalled that work was underway to provide more cost of living relief in the May budget.

Mr Albanese also vowed to further the legacy of the beloved federal Labor MP Peta Murphy, who in December died from cancer at age 50, prioritising her work on health and gender issues.

Labor is fighting tooth and nail to retain the seat of Dunkley, which it holds on 6.3 per cent margin, as the Liberals urge voters to cast a protest vote over soaring living costs.

But Mr Albanese won’t be in the electorate – which covers Frankston, Mt Eliza, Langwarrin, Seaford, Carrum Downs and Skye – on the night which also marks his birthday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Jodie Haydon at the lodge in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman

Asked if he would instead be attending Sydney Mardi Gras, Mr Albanese said “probably not” because he hadn’t had a chance to see his son Nathan or fiance Jodie.

“Frankly, it’s been a busy time,” he said. “We’re having dinner in Sydney.”

Mr Albanese, who will spend Friday and Saturday morning in Dunkley said it was a diverse and beautiful community.

“But it has people who need government to make a positive difference,” he said, adding Labor candidate Jodie Belyea would do that.

“Peta Murphy was someone who stood up for her local community, was such a strong local advocate, was passionate about her local community, and was very effective in delivering,” he said.

“Jodie was recruited personally by Peta to the party and … she will carry on that legacy as a voice in government that’s able to get things done.”

Mr Albanese with Labor's candidate for the Dunkley by-election, Jodie Belyea. Picture: PMO

Anthony Albanese will be celebrating his birthday with family. Picture: Martin Ollman

Cost of living and housing are among the top issues for voters, with booths in mortgage-belt suburbs such as Carrum Downs set to be a key battleground for the major parties.

Asked if he would introduce additional cost of living measures, Mr Albanese said the government was looking at things in the budget.

“We’ll continue to look for any measures that can provide cost of living relief without putting pressure on inflation. That’s the key,” Mr Albanese said.

He maintained the decision to break his promise and overhaul the legislated stage three tax cuts, which passed the Senate this week, was the right decision because it gave more money to middle Australia.

“Peter Dutton wants to have it both ways, wants to continue to criticise the decision but then voted for it,” Mr Albanese said, taking aim at the negative campaigns run by the Liberals and Advance Australia.

Asked if a loss would be seen as failure, Mr Albanese said: “by-elections are hard but we’re focused on doing the right thing”.