Bill Shorten turns on the charm as he tries to woo the nation

ROMANCE doesn’t spring to everyone’s mind when they think about Bill Shorten, but he was out to woo the nation with the help of wife Chloe.

ROMANCE doesn’t spring to everyone’s mind when they think about Bill Shorten, but he was out to woo the nation with the help of wife Chloe.

The Opposition Leader was visiting Westfield Carindale in Brisbane with local candidate Laura Fraser Hardy and his spouse when he dropped in on a flower shop to pick out a bouquet for his wife.

Bill Shorten buys flowers for wife Chloe in a romantic election campaign gesture. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

Mr Shorten chatted to florist Emma Leckie and promised to return after his walk through the shopping centre in the electorate of Bonner, held by Coalition MP Ross Vasta by a margin of 3.7.

The Labor leader then presented his spouse with a bouquet of half a dozen orange Colombian roses, costing a hefty $65.50, which perhaps explains why Mr Shorten didn’t fork out for a full dozen.

His loving gesture in front of a bank of cameras seemed to make Mrs Shorten feel rather awkward, as she buried her face in his shirt, laughed and remarked: “That’s so embarrassing!”

Chloe Shorten said she was embarrassed when Bill presented her with orange roses. Picture: Jason Edwards

Florist Ms Leckie said the roses were a “beautiful” choice, adding: “We’ve got them just fresh in and yeah they’re really popular these ones. He was really lovely, I liked how he came and said hello and was interested in what I was doing.”

It was typical of the charming and slightly shy Mrs Shorten’s behaviour throughout the day — her husband’s undisputed campaign not-so-secret weapon.

While the rose display may not have cemented the Labor leader’s status as a ladykiller, Mrs Shorten’s presence certainly added a splash of colour to proceedings, not least because she was dressed in a matching hot pink dress and high-heeled pumps.

The 44-year-old stayed close to her husband throughout the walk through Westfield, where they both chatted to shoppers, lunching pensioners and a fruit stall holder while passers-by snapped photos and watched with bemusement.

One woman even ran up for a quick peck on the cheek, suggesting the Casanova image could be starting to take hold. It was not quite as ardent as his earlier campaign kiss from Margo Carey in Adelaide, who pulled him in for a smooch on the lips, but some women clearly see the attraction.

But pensioner Connie, who was lunching with two friends when the couple approached her, was more reserved. “He promised he’d do this and that, but I don’t believe him because they’re all the same,” she said.