Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon advised to keep their wedding small and private

With a cost-of-living crisis biting working Australians, political strategists say the Prime Minister would do well to avoid a lavish wedding to Jodie Haydon.

Political strategists say it’d be wise for Anthony Albanese to keep his wedding to fiancé Jodie Haydon discreet or modest as Australians suffer through the cost-of-living crisis, warning anything lavish or weird could be damaging for the Prime Minister.

After announcing on social media that he and Ms Haydon had become engaged on Valentine’s Day – making Mr Albanese the first Australian prime minister to get married while in the top job – Griffith University associate professor of politics Paul Williams said the only way it would be injurious was if he had an extravagant wedding at a time when people were belt tightening.

“There may be some electoral benefit from it. It humanises the Prime Minister. Look at the warmth generated towards the royal family when there’s a royal wedding, republicanism drops,” Dr Williams said.

“If there is an electoral benefit, it’ll be small and brief because the electorate is looking at other things. There might be zero effect. Obviously everything has to be done in his own time and at his own expense. The key is that it’s modest and privately funded.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese an fiancee Jodie Haydon at the lodge in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

One political strategist who wanted to remain anonymous said it’d be risky to hold the wedding before the election, which is due by May next year.

“It’s nice the PM’s getting married but that should be a private affair,” the strategist said.

“It would be very wise for him to make sure this wedding is discreet, with family and friends, just like any other Australian. There should be strong avoidance in having the big end of town or any celebrities turning up.

“Most voters out there are preoccupied with a cost-of-living crisis and again in this space he will need to make sure his wedding is not a distraction from his broader narrative, which is that he’s there focused on their (Australians’) needs.”

Veteran Labor strategist Bruce Hawker, managing director of Campaign and Communications Group, said it was natural people were interested in knowing more about their leaders’ personal lives but Mr Albanese’s engagement and impending wedding wouldn’t necessarily translate into greater or lesser political popularity.

“I believe that the next election will be determined on the political appeal of the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader (Peter Dutton). It will come down to their competing agendas and visions for Australia,” Mr Hawker said.

Mr Hawker pointed to former UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s wedding as an example of a leader being wed while in office. Mr Johnson resigned as prime minister amid multiple controversies just over a year later.

Grahame Morris, chief of staff to former prime minister John Howard and chairman emeritus at Barton Deakin, noted Liberal leader Andrew Peacock married Margaret St George while in opposition but it didn’t help him win office.

He said Mr Albanese’s wedding could be a plus for him.

“It will fill a week of media stuff. It depends if there are awkward distractions like strange best man or weird guest list, or snubs or poor behaviour or (the wedding being) too lavish,” Mr Morris said.

Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon host a morning Tea with the Australian of the Year finalists at the Lodge in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

On Thursday afternoon, the newly-engaged couple thanked Australians for the “overwhelming, but beautiful” congratulations they received following the pair’s engagement announced this morning.

“It’s such a joy to be able to share this news with people, and it’s wonderful that I’ve found a partner who I want to spend the rest of my life with,” Mr Albanese said outside the Lodge in Canberra. “Last night was a great occasion here at the Lodge and we couldn’t be more happy.”

“A lot of planning and thought went into everything from the date, obviously Valentines Day, and the ring that I helped to design, and where to do it. I asked on one of the balconies here at the Lodge.

“Thank you for all the warm and generous messages.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton took the chance to congratulate the Prime Minister during Question Time today.

“I just want to thank everybody for such a warm congratulations today,” Ms Haydon said.

“From our friends, from our families, from people that we don’t know. It’s just been overwhelming, but beautiful.”