How much is it worth to be Prime Minister: pollie perks revealed
Properties, salaries and the perks of being Australia’s leader. This is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s gifts and holdings explained.
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Multimillion-dollar properties, past lucrative real estate investments, and a six-figure salary are among the sources of wealth behind Anthony Albanese.
As the Prime Minister prepares to go head-to-head with Peter Dutton in a high stakes election campaign, analysis of Mr Albanese’s andalso the Coalition leader’s income, investments and gift registers reveals an eclectic mix of revenue streams and other financial benefits.
Both have also enjoyed complimentary sporting events over the past three years, with Mr Albanese favouring NRL — particularly his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs — and scoring free tickets to artists like Taylor Swift, Nick Cave, Foo Fighters and the Pixies.
Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton have likely crossed paths at each AFL and NRL grand final during of the last few years, and between them have been given a wide array of books and ornaments from constituents, businesses and dignatories.
ANTHONY ALBANESE
How much real estate does he own?
Mr Albanese made headlines late last year with the purchase of a $4.3m beach home at Copacabana Beach on The Central Coast, which he bought with his fiance Jodie Haydon late last year.
The couple have since listed the property as an investment rental.
At the start of this term in May 2022, Mr Albanese declared owning three properties — his residence in Sydney’s inner west suburb of Marrickville, an investment property in nearby Dulwich Hill, and a unit in Canberra.
In October 2022 Mr Albanese declared he had sold the Canberra unit for what was believed to be $662,500.
In December that same year his house in Marrickville, which has an estimated value of $2.65m, was designated an investment property on his register of members’ interests.
In January 2025, Mr Albanese declared the sale of his investment property at Dulwich Hill, which had been listed for $1.85m.
Since winning the election, Mr Albanese has based himself at the official prime minister’s residence in Canberra, known as The Lodge.
He also spends time in the PM’s Sydney residence, Kirribilli House.
What is the salary of Australia’s Prime Minister?
Parliamentarian’s salaries are set by the independent Remuneration Tribunal, which in June 2024 handed all federal politicians a 3.5 per cent pay rise, bringing Mr Albanese’s annual salary to $607,520.
What is his net worth?
Mr Albanese’s net worth is not publicly available, and it is not a requirement of politicians to declare this information.
What did Anthony Albanese do before becoming Prime Minister?
After university Mr Albanese was a research office to former minister for Local Government and Administrative Services Tom Uren in 1984.
He became the assistant general secretary of the NSW branch of the Labor Party in 1989, a position he left six years later to work as a senior adviser to then NSW Premier Bob Carr.
He was elected as the federal MP for Grayndler in 1996, and across his three decades in parliament has served as Infrastructure and Transport Minister, as well as Regional Development and Local Government Minister and Leader of the House during the Rudd-Gillard governments between 2007 and 2013.
In 2013 he became Deputy Prime Minister under former PM Kevin Rudd.
In 2019 Mr Albanese became the leader of the Australian Labor Party and was elected Prime Minister in 2022.
What gifts did he receive this term?
Parliamentarians are required to declare any gifts received that are valued at more than $750 if it is from an official, such as a foreign government or dignatory, or $300 and above if it is from non official sources.
As Prime Minister, Mr Albanese has declared a large number of official gifts from Australia’s allies that have then been surrendered to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
He has retained only a handful of official gifts since May 2022, and also declared tickets, art, books and other items that were from other sources.
OFFICIAL GIFTS (SURRENDERED)
– Francisco de Goya 275th Anniversary Coin from NATO Secretary General.
– Ornament in perspex box (Kaibauk – ornate headdress) from the President of Timor-Leste.
– Silver watch with leather band from Prime Minister of Cambodia.
– Green Horn in display box from the President of Indonesia.
– Silver APEC replica chailom from the Deputy PM of Thailand.
– University of PNG tie, shirt, mug and other times.
– Framed pig tusks and natural fibres from Prime Minister of PNG.
– Framed gold bird of paradise from Foreign Minister of PNG.
– Polish pig tusk from Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
– Pichwai painting in presentation box from Prime Minister of India.
– Leather compendium folder from Prime Minister of the UK.
– Resin sculpture of dancer on granite pedestal from President of Indonesia.
– Silver Urn from Sultan of Brunei.
– Ren pen shell and box from President of Philippines.
– Framed oil painting from President of Indonesia.
– Mission oak antique tabletop writing desk from the President of the USA.
– First edition books on Alternative Rock and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from Vice President of the USA.
– Custom framed vinyl record art of Bruce Springsteen and ACDC albums from Secretary of State of the USA.
– Book ‘The White House’ from the White House Historical Association.
– Assorted china from Premier of the State Council of the China.
– Quilt cover and pillow cases from Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.
– Frame black masi wall hanging from the prime Minister of Fiji.
– Handcrafted orchard in a pot from the Prime Minister of Singapore.
– Frame portrait of the Prime Ministers of Australia and Vietnam.
– Silver picture frame with seal of the President of Philippines.
– Porcelain dinner set from the Prime Minister of Vietnam.
– Timber carved wall hanging of two Wilmington landmarks from President of USA.
– Scarf from President of the Republic of Peru.
– Carpet rug from Deputy PM of the United Arab Emirates.
OFFICIAL GIFTS (RETAINED)
– Spedagi Bamboo Bicycle from President of the Republic of Indonesia
– Vinyl records and T-shirts from the Prime Minister of New Zealand
– Watch and notebook in wooden box from President of the United States of America
– Flowers from President of USA and First Lady
– Flowers from Japanese Ambassador
– Custom VPI classic turntable from President of the USA
– Framed photo of Antonov Aircraft from the Ukrainian Ambassador
SPORT
– Tickets to the 2022 State of Origin from NRL
– Two rugby league balls from International Rugby League
– Tickets to various South Sydney Rabbitohs games in 2022
– PM’s XIII signed Australian jersey and signed PNG jersey from NRL
– PM’s XIII NRL polo tops and jacket from NRL
– Steeden International rugby league ball from International Rugby League
– Tickets to AFL grand final 2022 from AFL
– Tickets to NRL grand final 2022 from NRL
– PM’s XIII NRL pack – clothing and luggage items. This gift was surrendered
– Cricket bat signed by Australian and South African test teams 2023 from Cricket Australia. Surrendered
– Tickets to Australian Open 2023 from Tennis Australia
– Tickets to Australian Open 2023 from Nine
– NRL NSW Blues Jersey and Steeden All Stars Football from Westpac
– Tickets to Fremantle v Eagles AFL game in Perth from Seven West Media
– FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer ball from FIFA
– FIFA Women’s World Cup jersey personalised from FIFA
– Framed union registration certificate from United Services Union
– Tickets to FIFA Women’s World Cup games from FIFA
– Guest of south Sydney Rabbitohs Football Club at various games in 2023
– Hawthorn Football Club jumper from Hawthorn Football Club
– T-shirt and photos from Tennis Australia
– Collingwood scarf from Collingwood Football Club
– Giants scarf from GWS Football Club
– Tickets to AFL grand final 2023 from AFL
– Tickets to NRL grand final 2023 from NRL
– Kangaroos NRL football from the Australian Rugby League Commission
– Tickets to Australia v Pakistan third test SCG from Cricket Australia and Venues NSW
– Tickets to 2024 Australian open Final from Tennis Australia
– Framed football jersey from APIA Leichardt Football Club
– Tickets to Raiders v Rabbitohs game in Canberra from Canberra Raiders
– Tickets to AFL grand final 2024 from AFL
– Tickets to NRL grand final 2024 from NRL
– Guest of South Sydney Rabbitohs Football Club at various games during 2024
– Western United FC jersey from Western United Football Club
MUSIC
– Tickets to Jimy Barnes concert from Jimmy Barnes
– Two King Stingray T-shirts and one CD from musical group King Stingray
– Tickets to Midnight Oil concert from Midnight Oil
– Lime Cordiale box set from Lime Cordiale
– Tickets to the Pixies concert from the Sydney Opera House
– Tickets to Nick Cave concert from the Canberra Theatre
– Tickets to Elton John concert in Sydney from Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd
– Signed vinyl album by artist G-Flip
– Tickets to Foo Fighters concert from Frontier Touring
– Tickets to Taylor Swift concert in Sydney from Universal Music Group
– Tickets to West Side Story in Sydney from Opera Australia
– Tickets to Nick Cave show in Sydney from Nick Cave
– Tickets to Radio Birdman in Sydney from Radio Birdman
– Vinyl record ‘Into the Blue’ by the Southern Ocean Sea Band from Moyne Shire Councillor Jordan Lockett
BOOKS AND ART
– Indigenous artwork from BHP chief executive. Surrendered
– Book ‘Dick Smith My Adventurous Life’ from Dick Smith
– Book ‘The superpower transformation making Australia’s zero-carbon future by Ross Garnaut’ from Black Inc Books
– Book ‘A Footy Tail’ by Alex Johnson
– Digital artwork in from Japanese digital art company NAKED Inc. Surrendered
– Framed Chinese calligraphy poem from Cheng Lei
– Artwork ‘water turning into fire’ by Amalia DL Pellegrini. Surrendered
– Painted portrait of PM Albanese from Nawa Cita Pariwisata Indonesia. Surrendered
– Book from Rosie Batty
– Books from Mariana Mazzucato
– Book ‘Plans for Your Good, A Prime Minister’s Testimony of God’s Faithfulness’ from Scott Morrison
– Book ‘Lasseter’s Gold’ from Warren Brown
– Book ‘In the Service of Peace’ from Jason Byrnes
OTHER
– Helicopter flight Avalon to Portsea return to attend private lunch courtesy of Lindsay Fox
– Silver bracelet with engraving from family of the late Sir Michael Somare. Surrendered
– Hi-vis shirt from Minerals Council of Australia
– Commemorative stamps from Darrell Lea
– Mahota Blanket from Akana Group. Surrendered
– Vase from Channel 9 Perth
– Ariat hat from Mayor of Mt Isa City Council
– Vase from Lord Mayor of Newcastle
– Cartoon from Sydney Morning Herald
– Anniversary ring from St Mary’s Cathedral School
– Bottle of wine from Brokenwood wines
– Miniature boxer model from Rheinmetall
– CareFlight model plane from CareFlight
– Artwork ‘awakening’ by Amalia DL Pellegrini. Surrendered
– Gift bag for 80th anniversary of the Cowra Breakout from Cowra Council
– Scarf from India Australia Business and Community Awards
– Aranet4 COS Monitor from Burnet Institute
– Dog coat by Houndsome from ACCI
– Framed photo from Warren Entsch
– Cap from McGrath foundation
– Cap from RAAF Squadron 35
– Bottle of gin from Queensland Premier David Crisafulli
– Porcelain cup from the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse Inc. Surrendered
What organisation memberships does he have?
– Life member – south Sydney RLFC
– Qantas Chairman Lounge
– Virgin Club Lounge
– Wests Leagues Club
– Marrickville Lawn Tennis Club
– Western Suburbs Lawn Tennis Association (honorary)
– Canterbury Leagues Club
– Chair of the Australian parliament Sports Club
– National Patron of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation
– Patron of Commonwealth Games Australia
– Patron of Advance Global Australians
– Honorary co-chair of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission
– Canterbury League Club (honorary member)
– Patron of the Australian Olympic Committee
– Honorary member of the Royal Sydney Golf Club
– Patron of Paralympics Australia
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