Prime Minister shouts locals during Anzac Day visit at Townsville RSL

It’s not every day you get shouted a beer by the Prime Minister, so there were some stunned faces at the bar in the Townsville RSL Club when Anthony Albanese came in and ordered a round. See the video.

It’s not every day you get shouted a beer by the Prime Minister, so there were some stunned faces at the bar in the Townsville RSL Club when Anthony Albanese came in and ordered a round.

Fresh off the plane from a dawn service in PNG, Mr Albanese spent the rest of Anzac Day brushing shoulders with locals in Townsville, the nation’s largest garrison city.

The PM filed into the Townsville RSL Club just before noon, just as massive crowds from the city’s Anzac Day parade arrived for lunch.

Senator Nita Green, Colonel Boniface Aruma, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Townsville RSL president Wayne Preedy at Townsville RSL. Picture: Evan Morgan

As soon as he stepped up to the bar he was met with boisterous yells from the crowd.

“Shouts on Albo,” one man said.

“Come on, shout us a beer, mate,” said another.

Senator Nita Green, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter with patrons at Townsville RSL. Picture: Evan Morgan

As the bartender poured out a round of cold ones, Townsville RSL President Wayne Preedy managed to get a nervous laugh out of Albo when he leaned over and jokingly told staff to “keep the tab open.”

After tossing the kip at two-up, the PM took some time out for selfies and to shake hands with some of the punters.

Senator Jacqui Lambie, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Townsville RSL president Wayne Preedy at Townsville RSL. Picture: Evan Morgan

As he left the RSL, Mr Albanese took a more sombre tone and spoke about why he wanted to spend some time in Townsville this Anzac Day.

“Today is a sacred day for all Australians and it’s been a real honour to spend some time here in Townsville that’s such an important city for the Australian Defence Force,” he said.

“The men and women who serve in uniform deserve our thanks each and every day and no day is more important than today.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tosses the kip at two-up at Townsville RSL. Picture: Evan Morgan

Originally published as Prime Minister shouts locals during Anzac Day visit at Townsville RSL