Prime Minister Anthony Albanese woos independents amid predictions of hung Parliament

Anthony Albanese has launched a charm offensive with the MPs who could seal his fate as PM, bringing along his 25-year-old son to the exclusive cocktail party.

Anthony Albanese has launched a charm offensive with the crossbench MPs who could decide Australia’s next Prime Minister, bringing out the big guns at the Lodge: his fiancee Jodie Haydon and a surprise inclusion, his son Nathan.

Independents who attended the Tuesday night drinks at the Lodge have told news.com.au that they were greeted by Ms Haydon, and Mr Albanese’s son Nathan Albanese, 25, and two cabinet ministers.

Their numbers included independents Kate Chaney and Monique Ryan, SA’s Rebekha Sharkie, Helen Haines and Zoe Daniel.

The ministers in attendance were the Manager of Government Business Tony Burke, who would play a crucial role with the crossbench in the event of a hung Parliament and the Education Minister Jason Clare, both members of the NSW Right.

Intriguingly, Mr Albanese did not appear to invite the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles or the Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon hosted Tuesday night drinks at the Lodge. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Mr Albanese’s son, Nathan, was also on hand. Picture: James D Morgan/Getty Images

Polls suggest that both the Prime Minister and Peter Dutton will struggle to secure an outright majority based on current data which means the independents could end up being Kingmaker in a re-run of the 2010 election where Julia Gillard formed a government with the independents.

The last minute surprise invite to the group of men and women – but largely women – who could be in the box seat if neither Mr Albanese or Mr Dutton can reach 75 seats – is being interpreted as another sign the Prime Minister plans to go to the polls sooner rather than later.

If Mr Albanese chooses to go to the polls shortly after the March 8 WA election, with the likely election date April 12, Parliament will not return for the budget on March 25.

Under that scenario, this week’s parliamentary sittings is the Prime Minister’s last chance to wine, dine and woo the independents before he calls an election.

Independent Allegra Spender arrives at The Lodge in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman/The Australian

Teal independent Zoe Daniel arrives at The Lodge in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman/The Australian

The Australianphotographed independent MPs who received last-minute invitations arriving for 6.30pm drinks at the Prime Minister’s residence on Tuesday, night marking the first time that the Teals have travelled to The Lodge since the 2022 election.

Some MPs had never been invited to the Lodge by previous prime ministers, with the guest list including Kate Cheney, Zoe Daniel, Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink, Sophie Scamps, Monique Ryan, Dai Lei, Helen Haines and Rebekha Sharkie.

Calare MP Andrew Gee – who defected from the Nationals over his support for the failed voice referendum – also scored an invite.

Kate Chaney and Dai Lee arrive at The Lodge in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman/The Australian

Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie arrives at The Lodge in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman/The Australian

But perhaps keen to make a political point, the Greens leader Adam Bandt was left off the guest list.

Also left out in the cold, although unsurprisingly, was ex Labor MP Fatima Payman who split with the ALP to sit on the crossbench last year.

The Coalition will need to win at least 18 seats to win government, a challenging task given current polling has Peter Dutton picking up 8 to 10 seats.

Then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard with Greens leader Adam Bandt.

Independent Allegra Spender has previously declared she is willing to “work with anyone” if there is a hung parliament after the next election.

“We just have to look at the numbers. Let’s start with the numbers and then start with the negotiation,” Ms Spender said.

“I am clear, I will work with anyone … in a minority parliament. We don’t know what a parliament next time might look at. It starts with what are the numbers, what are the situations and what you can negotiate.”

Minister for Education, Jason Clare. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Manager of Government Business Tony Burke. Picture: Martin Ollman

Anthony Albanese and Labor’s polling slide has worsened, with Mr Dutton’s Coalition pulling

But Ms Spender had made clear in the past that she had no interest in joining the Coalition.

“I am a very happy community independent, you might have noticed that,” she said.

“I am sincere, we have had 20 years of a slow-motion car crash on some major economic issues and politics, as usual, has not fixed them.

“That is why I am in politics, to fix that. I have much more freedom to do that as an independent than I would as some Liberal safe backbencher.”

Asked if the offer of a cabinet position could win her over she replied, “This is not a negotiation I’m entering into.”

Originally published as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese woos independents amid predictions of hung Parliament