‘Un-Australian: Anthony Albanese weighs in on Aussie beach trend

The PM has blasted as “not on” a hot new Aussie beach trend that has become the most divisive topic of the summer.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed critics slamming beachgoers for hogging prime beach real estate with a cabana, agreeing with a TV host’s claim that the sneaky move is “un-Australian.”

Amid warnings Australia’s cabana culture is “out of control”, the PM weighed in on the big issue on breakfast television after he was grilled on the practice of some families grabbing the best spot and then leaving the cabana behind to come back later in the day before nicking off.

“Prime Minister, you are the leader of the nation and I want to ask you this very, very important question,’’ host Alex Cullen asked.

“There’s been fierce online debate about beachgoers arriving at the beach early and using their cabanas to reserve their spots.

“So, essentially setting up the cabana, going away, leaving the beach and then coming back and coming back later in the day. So, you’re reserving your spot, basically. Where do you sit, Prime Minister, on this burning question that is today dividing the nation?

The Prime Minister is not a fan of the cabana culture taking over Aussie beaches. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“Well, that’s not on,’’ Mr Albanese replied with Cullen concurring, “It’s un-Australian. Thank you, Prime Minister.”

“One of the great things about Australia, unlike some parts of the world, you go and you got to pay to go to the beach,’’ Mr Albanese said.

“Here, everyone owns the beach. Everyone. And it’s a place where every Australian is equal. And that’s a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.

Host Jane Azzopardi then quipped it, “might require some legislation. Well, maybe, Prime Minister, you would be happy to share Kirribilli with us. I’ll set my cabana out the front there.”

“There’s no beach there,’’ Mr Albanese replied.

“And there certainly is not at The Lodge, which is where I spend most of my time. Maybe I could attach it to some of my other obsessions, which is fruit in beer. I mean, tomorrow you should survey your listeners. I just think fruit in beer is a bit wrong.

It comes as one Aussie’s TikTok video went viral after she suggested the CoolCabanas culture had gone “unchecked for too long”.

“I hate to say it, but someone has to. I think the CoolCabanas culture in Australia has gone absolutely insane,” one Aussie claimed on TikTok.

“It’s been unchecked for too long now.”

An Aussie beachgoer has slammed a new beach trend. Picture: TikTok

While sitting on the beach during the recent summer holidays, she noticed the viral beach shelters once again occupying prime space but also saw something else she thought was strange.

Apparently, people are now setting up their cabanas only to sit outside the shaded area, in direct sunlight.

“What do you mean you’ve got three CoolCabanas and you’re still sitting outside of them?” she asked rhetorically.

“You’re taking up literally a 10 by 10 square metre area on the beach, and you’re still sitting outside your CoolCabana in the sun? What’s the point?”

She also argued that people in “groups of fewer than four” shouldn’t be allowed to have one. “It’s insane. There’s no room for anyone else anymore,” she concluded. “I’m just one single person surrounded by a sea of CoolCabanas.”

Many echoed her sentiment in the comments, saying, “Louder for the people in the back!” and “You make a great point.”

However, she also received a lot of backlash for her thoughts.

“Because when I’ve had enough sun, I can just jump under the shade,” one commenter explained.

“Yeah, I want to have the option of sitting in the sun and then also in the shade when I feel like it,” another added.

“How dare people seek shade in the blistering Australian sun? Unforgivable,” read another sarcastic comment.

“We have thousands of beaches – why are you acting like we’re running out of space?” someone else questioned.

“It’s outside, people can do what they want!” voiced a different user.

People are setting up beach cabanas but then not sitting under them. Picture: Supplied

‘Taking up prime real estate’

Earlier this week, another content creator also declared that the controversial tents are “taking up prime real estate” on popular Aussie beaches.

He urged his followers to visit beaches with concreted areas like Clovelly and Shark Beach, as the structures can’t be erected there.

In another clip, he suggested that people should be “charged for the space” they occupy, which naturally divided the comments section.

“They should only be at the back of the beach,” one comment read.

Another added, “CoolCabanas are AMAZING!”

One social media user remarked, “You are doing the Lord’s work.”

“Agree 100 per cent. People need to be more considerate in public spaces,” another commenter added.

“My whole family is very fair-skinned. If we don’t have one of these to sit under, we can only stay at the beach for three and a half minutes,” one said.

Another content creator agreed that CoolCabanas take up too much beach real estate. Picture: TikTok

The ‘reservation’ conversation

Another cabana-related conversation occurred on Tuesday on the Today Show, where the hosts discussed whether it’s acceptable to pitch a cabana in the morning, leave, and then return hours later to claim your spot.

Reporting from Melbourne, one host revealed that people at Safety Beach on the Mornington Peninsula have been arriving very early to secure their positions and then leaving their cabanas completely unattended.

Speaking to beachgoers about the trend, one commented, “I don’t love it; it’s not the best beach etiquette,” while another said it’s “not cool.”

However, others were more lenient, stating, “It’s fine by me.”

One host argued, “If you’re going to claim it, you have to be there in person. It’s an investment. I wouldn’t leave my cabana and go off.”

But another host admitted she has done it before. “No one will steal your cabana if you go off, because everyone has one!” she laughed. “So, my husband and I just debate how early is too early to get up.”

Aussie beach etiquette, explained

It’s essential for Aussies to know a few golden rules to ensure a fun day out at the beach, according to etiquette expert Kate Heussler.

One tip involves selecting the right spot for your cabana. It’s best to keep a reasonable distance from strangers, she advised.

“Imagine arriving at a near-empty restaurant and someone sits right next to you — it’s a bit odd, right? Give people their personal ‘beach bubble.’”

Of course, this can be easier said than done during peak beach periods.

“Peak summer days and holidays are typically when room to spread out isn’t always possible,” Ms Heussler noted to Newswire.

“On those days, you can’t be too picky, grab a spot of sand where you can. On a typical beach day, I’d say a good guideline is at least a couple of metres away – enough space to avoid an unexpected splash of suntan oil or a sand-covered beach bag.”

The same rule applies to setting up your tent: avoid placing it directly in front of someone else’s view.

“It’s like blocking someone’s view at the movies but without the popcorn,” Ms Heussler said. “Check sightlines and set up a bit off to the side.”

Originally published as ‘Un-Australian: Anthony Albanese weighs in on Aussie beach trend