Australians sent into spin by Anthony Albanese’s ‘endearing’ caucus outfit choice

Anthony Albanese has been commended for making a “frugal” outfit choice for his first caucus meeting as prime minister.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sent Australians into a spin over an “endearing” outfit choice he made for the first meeting of the party caucus in Parliament House.

As Mr Albanese addressed Labor colleagues in Canberra on Tuesday, those watching his speech couldn’t help but notice something familiar about what he was wearing.

He had donned a black and white origami-style tie for the special occasion – the same accessory he wore in 2007 during a sitting of parliament’s Question Time.

It was the same infamous meeting that Kevin Rudd – who was later elected Australia’s 26th prime minister – was captured picking his own ear wax then appearing to eat it.

Anthony Albanese wore the same tie he did for a parliament sitting in 2007. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Taylor

Eagle-eyed ABC journalist Tom Lowrey made the initial observation before sharing a photo to Twitter showing the PM on Tuesday next to an image of him addressing parliament in 2007.

“Prime Minister @AlboMP seems to quite like this tie. It’s been around a while,” he wrote.

Mr Albanese’s tie choice was fast applauded by Australians, with many commending him for being “frugal”.

“I find that endearing. I also found his speech to his caucus brilliant,” one respondent wrote.

“Excellent. I think it’s great that we have a PM who doesn’t care about spending money on ties,” another said.

Prime Minister @AlboMP seems to quite like this tie. It's been around a while. pic.twitter.com/e6cTz6do2T

— Tom Lowrey (@tomlowrey) May 31, 2022

“He is clearly quite frugal. (Are they abstract rabbits?),” someone else replied.

“A special occasion tie that one has a sentimental attachment to? Love it!” another wrote.

Some speculated perhaps the clothing item may have been a gift from his mum, who died in 2002 of a brain aneurysm.

“I wonder if his tie was a gift from his mother? Our PM is very deep, thoughtful and sentimental. It may have a treasured meaning and history for him,” one suggested.

Mr Albanese wore the unique design for Question Time.

He was praised for not being wasteful. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

Someone else suspected the tie choice may have been a clear example of how Mr Albanese’s public housing upbringing had influenced the way he spent money.

“If you’ve ever known poor people who have made it against the odds you will know that generally speaking they don’t need Marie Kondo to explain living with nothing, and special occasions on their road of progress are marked by material things, which are kept,” they wrote.

“We just love someone who isn’t wasteful or frivolous and knows how to take care of things.

Have you even seen the pristine state of his 1981 Newtown Jets jumper? This man is a classic and classics don’t go out of fashion, my friend. Classics last,” another said.