Anthony Albanese visits mum’s grave after returning from Tokyo

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shared that one of the first things he did after returning from Tokyo was visit his mother’s grave.

Anthony Albanese has revealed he made an emotional visit to his mother’s grave after he returned from Tokyo.

On returning home from Japan, where he held talks with US President Joe Biden, the newly elected Prime Minister has revealed he went to the grave of his late mother Maryanne alone.

It’s the 20th anniversary of the death of the woman who raised her son as a single mum in a public housing flat in Sydney’s Camperdown.

The new Prime Minister revealed that he visited his mother’s grave on his return from Tokyo. Picture: PMO

Speaking on Today, Mr Albanese said he was glad to have the opportunity to make time to mark his mother’s death.

“It was very emotional for me, Karl. It was an emotional thing about my journey in life. When you grow up the way that I did, with a single mum in public housing, the expectation on your career path is not to rise to the position of Prime Minister,’’ he said.

“It does say a lot about our great country that people can have that opportunity.

“Last night, Karl, when I touched down from Tokyo, yesterday was the 20th anniversary of my mum’s death,’’ he said.

“I travelled last night out to – out to the cemetery to see her and have a chat.

“It was a big deal.”

Prime Minister Albanese paid tribute to his mother on Today this morning. Picture: Channel 9

Stefanovic replied, “Oh, man. Thank you for sharing that. That’s a big deal. Those emotions would have been …”

“It was a private moment. I went by myself. But I just felt like … you know, I hope that it gives people out there, whether they be single mums or people going through difficulties in life and their children, I hope that my journey does give people a bit of an uplift,’’ he said.

“It’s not about me. No one gets there, as I said on Saturday night, no one gets there by themselves. You get there because people believe in you, because people believe in you, because people provide you with support.

“The neighbours who cooked me meals when I was there as a school student. Looking after me, that sense of community that was there in Camperdown. The sense of feeling that was there on Saturday night – when we came out of the house and my neighbours here in Marrickville. And it was like the whole neighbourhood were on the street.

“The change in direction for this country – and one of the things that I want to bring to change – is not just policy change, but culture change,” he said.

The Labor leader said that he hopes that his journey gives people a bit of an uplift. Picture: Twitter/Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister said he had “hit the ground running” and the overseas trip was a good place to start.

“The world knows there’s a change of government in Australia,’’ he said.

“And whether it be our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific or our friends in Europe, or other parts of the world, it’s been incredibly well received. We’ve had a chat with a range of world leaders. All of them have been welcoming. They have been very supportive of the message that we’ve sent out, that Australia will now join global action on climate.”

During a morning media blitz, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also revealed he had a respectful relationship with Peter Dutton.

“I must say I have a much better relationship with Peter Dutton than I have with Scott Morrison,” he said.

“Peter Dutton has never broken a confidence that I’ve had with him. I think it’s very important that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition [work together] whenever it’s possible. I want to lead a Government that gets things done.”

Prime Minister Albanese shared that he has a ‘much better relationship with Peter Dutton’ than he had with former prime minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Albanese also revealed he welcomed Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek’s apology to Mr Dutton after comparing him to Harry Potter villain Voldemort.

“We should not refer to people’s appearance,” he told Sunrise. “There were a few comments made by the former prime minister about my appearance, you might recall, as part of the election campaign.

“Let’s discuss policy differences. I want to change the way that politics operates in this country. I’m dead serious about it.

“But, you know, people when they make a mistake, they should apologise and we move on. That’s one of the ways that we can change the way that politics operates and Tanya has done the appropriate thing here.”