‘Important and symbolic’: Anthony Albanese, Jodie Haydon reveal spring wedding plans
Jodie Haydon and Anthony Albanese have revealed plans to wed in a “small, intimate ceremony” in spring after the federal election.
Leaders
Don't miss out on the headlines from Leaders. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jodie Haydon and Anthony Albanese have revealed plans to wed in a “small, intimate ceremony” in spring after the federal election.
Win or lose, the PM has revealed the big reason why he decided to pop the question in an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly.
After controversy over his decision to buy a $4 million holiday home near where his fiancee’s parents live in Copacabana, NSW, he conceded he was looking towards what his life will look like after his time as Prime Minister ends.
“This,” he told Women’s Weekly, gesturing towards the Prime Minister’s official residence the Lodge, “will end one day, and the thing about our relationship is that we enjoy spending time together.
“Just us. So, when it became clear to me that Jodie was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and that I couldn’t imagine a life without her, I made the decision.”
They plan to marry “outdoors” although the backyard at Copacabana probably isn’t big enough to pack a crowd.
Despite announcing their betrothal on Valentine’s Day 2024, the couple said the wedding can wait until after the election, which is expected to be held on April 12 or May.
“Our wedding will be a moment when we make that commitment,” Ms Haydon said.
“We’re doing it in front of family and loved ones, and I see that as … for us. It’s something we’re looking forward to — an important and symbolic way to reaffirm our commitment with each other.”
Women’s Weekly notes it can’t be a Catholic church wedding, “though their families would perhaps have liked that, because of Anthony’s divorce”.
“It will be small, intimate,” Jodie Haydon added – probably a spring wedding.
“Possibly outdoors, in the second half of this year, with our family and loved ones … And you can be sure Toto will make an appearance.”
Mr Albanese said that he consulted his adult son Nathan before asking for his partner to marry him.
“I respect him and have a good relationship with him, and with his mother. So I asked him to think about it, and then he came back to me and Nathan was supportive. He wants me to be happy, and Nathan and Jodie have a really nice relationship as well.”
The Prime Minister then approached his friend, Nicola Cerrone — a jeweller in Leichhardt in his electorate of Grayndler — to keep the secret.
“The greatest difficulty of all was not to put it in the diary,” the PM said.
“My executive assistant was very shocked by the fact that it could be done without her knowing.”
Ms Haydon reveals that she will continue working full-time despite the pressures of being the PM’s spouse and the travel that necessitates.
“I have my own professional path (Head of Strategic Partnerships at Teachers Mutual Bank) and my own identity and purpose,” she said.
“I continue to work full-time and my employer has been very supportive. When I am at work, I’m simply Jodie, not the Prime Minister’s partner.”
But she conceded reading criticism of the PM wasn’t easy.
“If I see something I disagree with, at the end of the day, I come back to the fact that I know Anthony better than anybody,” she says.
“He’s kind, he’s strong, he’s considerate and he genuinely cares about people.
“Since our engagement, there is no doubt that we have become even closer … As we go through this journey, I find more reasons to admire him. He works harder than anyone I know and still invests in our relationship every day. I’ve never felt more loved.”
Originally published as ‘Important and symbolic’: Anthony Albanese, Jodie Haydon reveal spring wedding plans
Bad news for your next pay rise
Australia’s wage growth has slowed in the December quarter, which while welcome news for the RBA, shows the peak in earnings growth might be over.
PM bats away early election speculation
Despite Australians finally getting a rate cut, the Prime Minister won’t be calling an election this weekend leaving the guessing game for a date to continue.