Australian workers reacted negatively to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s anger when he was forced to cut short his five-day holiday to hold a press conference on Monday, but he at least enjoyed a relaxing evening with his fiancée.
In photos shared on Instagram on Sunday by the El Greko Greek Taverna restaurant in Point Cook, Far North Queensland, Mr Albanese can be seen relaxed and happy with his fiancée Jodie Haydon as they pose with the restaurant’s owners and staff.
“A very special guest joined us for dinner tonight,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram.
“It was an absolute pleasure to host the Prime Minister and his lovely wife for dinner this evening. We hope you enjoyed your evening with us.”
Lisa Grant, owner of El Greko Greek Tavern told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that Saturday night’s dinner was ‘awesome’.
“He’s a lovely man and Jodie is a delight.
“I was very overwhelmed, let me tell you. We are a small Greek restaurant and to be chosen to dine with us was very special.”
Ms Grant said she checked on the couple overnight to make sure “everything was okay”.
Anthony Albanese (pictured, back right) poses with Jodie Haydon (bottom left) alongside El Greko Greek Taverna owner Lisa Grant (front left) and her partner and executive chef James Hendry.
Mr Albanese and Mrs Haydon pose (centre left) with kitchen staff at El Greko Greek Taverna in Point Cook, Queensland
“They loved it, it was lovely,” he said.
‘Almost everyone in the restaurant said, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m here.’
“Everyone was excited. There were no hate messages, that’s for sure.”
Albanese’s mood seemed far less upbeat during a hastily called news conference on Monday to respond to US President Joe Biden’s decision to drop his re-election bid.
“Well, I’ve tried to get a couple of days off and here I am at a press conference on Monday,” Albanese told reporters in Cairns with a grimace.
‘I must say that Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has found it a little easier that I am standing here as a result of President Biden’s announcement.
“I’ll be out of action until Wednesday, but here I am at a press conference.”
A clip of Mr Albanese’s response was posted on X by the Aus Integrity account.
“This can’t get any worse than this, right?” the person behind the account asked.
Mr Albanese and Mrs Haydon pose with waiters after a quiet Christmas dinner at the Greek taverna El Greko
Mr Albanese (pictured left) has a laugh on Saturday night with some of the kitchen staff at El Greko.
‘Prime Minister Albo is holding a press conference to tell people that he had to come while he was on vacation to give a press conference.
‘Zero credit Albo, the rest of the country works on their days off and does unpaid overtime.’
Most respondents were also unimpressed by the Prime Minister’s apparent grievance.
“This is honestly pathetic,” one person wrote.
“They barely work a full year and being in front of microphones is demoralizing. Once you’re a union worker, you’re always a union worker.”
“Get out the violin!” commented another.
“We really don’t want to hear from you, so take an extended leave.”
“Give this guy a medal. He’s a real champion. I almost cried,” was another sarcastic response.
During his press conference, Mr Albanese did not seem happy to have to interrupt his rest.
“He’s only had 87 days of vacation this year, poor guy,” wrote another sarcastic commenter.
“Didn’t you hear he grew up on the housing commission? Give that guy a break.”
Mr Albanese had his defenders, however.
“Guys, can we take a moment to thank Albo for his commitment to his role?” one person wrote.
‘I don’t think anyone, anywhere, has ever come to work on their day off!
“And he barely mentioned he was on leave… take note, world leaders: this is what true leadership looks like.”
Mr. Albanese came under fire last week after leaving for vacation just as the country’s computers crashed due to the flawed CrowdStrike security update that crippled Microsoft operating systems around the world.
One person commented on social media that while the blackout was not caused by the government, it still played a “major role in the recovery and aftermath.”
“They can implement systems to help the poor get food (or) help small businesses with a cheat sheet of technological solutions,” they wrote in X.