Ekka 2023: PM Anthony Albanese pays a visit and tries a strawberry sundae

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has scored a public relations victory over political rival Peter Dutton during a surprise visit to the Ekka.

• People’s Day on $100 budget
• 99 free things to do at Ekka

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has surprised Ekka goers with an impromptu appearance, as he toured the show and sampled a strawberry sundae.

His visit comes a year after an infamous picture capturing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton eating a dagwood dog went viral.

Mr Albanese chose the sundae for his photo opportunity, scoring a far more flattering outcome than is political rival.

Following the 2022 gaffe, Mr Dutton revealed he had copped some flak but added that he would prefer to be photographed eating the dagwood dog correctly rather than adding to the catalogue of pictures showing politicians eating iconic snacks the wrong way.

This picture of Peter Dutton eating a dagwood dog went viral in 2022, likely prompting PM Anthony Albanese to stick to a strawberry sundae during today’s visit.

“Most of my mates actually were pretty rapid-fire texting me like, ‘WTF’, but anyway, what do you do?” he joked at the time.

“With the cameras there, I mean you can’t eat it from the side because the sauce drips off and you do a Bill Shorten … so it leaves one angle and it’s not a great one.

“There is no good angle, so you just accept your fate, right?

“But chewing from the side was definitely not an option.”

In today’s visit, Mr Albanese toured the Agriculture Hall before tucking in to his sundae, speaking with young Ekka goers and walking through the show.

The PM did deliver a slightly less flattering image shortly after, however. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Speaking to media in front of a crowd Mr Albanese said he was enjoying what he had seen so far.

“ I reckon after Covid everyone had so much time by themselves being isolated and just walking around here engaging,” he said.

“We’re social beings and people are really having a good time.”

When asked about his favourite show rides, Mr Albanese said he was a roller coaster guy.

“I haven’t been on any here. I get a little scared,” he said.

“But I reckon one of the great things about having a kid is you can go on the roller coasters and pretend it’s for them.”

Originally published as Ekka 2023: PM Anthony Albanese pays a visit and tries a strawberry sundae