When the PM announces engagement, Quips the Australian Oppn leader, “I will be there, throwing roses out in front of you.”

Canberra: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with opposition leaders in the Parliament, but not in the customary manner, after the announcement of his new partner’s name on Thursday. After congratulating Albanese on his special day, Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton made a playful joke and questioned him about the weeding dates. He also requested a royal gala banquet.

“On behalf of the whole House, let me offer the prime minister and Jodie our congratulations and best wishes. The leader of the Opposition said, “We look forward to our version of the royal wedding sometime in the near future,” to a chorus of laughter from the whole House. “I will be there, throwing roses out in front of you, Prime Minister, whatever it takes to get an invite to the gala wedding,” he said.

In a humorous reply, Albanese also urged Dutton to check his mailbox—possibly to retrieve the wedding invitation. Being involved while in office makes Albanese the first prime minister of Australia to do so. He disclosed on social media that on Valentine’s Day, his girlfriend Jodie Haydon accepted his marriage proposal.

“Jodie and I are excited and we’re thrilled” : Albanian
Speaking to the media earlier today with his girlfriend, Albanese said, “Jodie and I are happy and excited. Being able to inform folks of this news makes me very happy. And it’s fantastic that I’ve discovered someone with whom I want to share my life. And we couldn’t be happier since we had a fantastic event here at the Lodge last night (Wednesday).

“We are experiencing the present. Everything was carefully planned and thought out, including the date—Valentine’s Day, of course—the design of the ring, and the location. We conducted the activity on, may I inquire, one of the balconies located inside this lodge? We want to live in the present moment right now, but we will have those (marriage) talks between us that I hope others will understand and work out those things. Many thanks again,” Albanese said.

The personal life of Albanese
Interestingly, this wasn’t the Australian leader’s first romantic engagement. On New Year’s Day 2019, the lawmaker was taken aback by his 19-year wife, Carmel Tebbutt, ending their thirty-year marriage, according to Australian media outlet New Idea. In 2022, the leader of the Australian Labor Party said to ABC Radio, “I found it very tough.” “New Year’s Eve and Day will undoubtedly always be associated with that significant occasion in my life.”

Early in 2020, Albanese and Haydon crossed paths at a Melbourne event. They later collaborated on the campaign trail for the federal election of 2022, which Albanese won. According to Australian media, Albanese is the first prime minister to get engaged while in office. Haydon has traveled with Albanese on a number of official visits, such as his October visit to the United States.