Anthony Albanese has claimed that he received two free tickets to one of Taylor Swift’s sold-out shows in Sydney.
The Prime Minister and his fiancée Jodie Haydon attended the Eras tour on February 24, where Mr Albanese was even captured awkwardly dancing to the American pop star’s hits at the Accor Stadium.
The self-confessed ‘Swiftie’ admitted on Monday to having received the tickets from Universal Music Group, Taylor Swift’s record label.
Both notes were entered in the parliamentary register of interests in the “travel and hospitality” section, the guardian reported.
Other politicians who gave away tickets included former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Sports Minister Anika Wells, Labor’s Alison Byrnes and MPs Andrew Wallace and Hollie Hughes.
Mr Albanese (blue top) is seen at Taylor Swift’s show in Sydney, between his son Nathan and fiancée Jodie Haydon.
Anthony Albanese (pictured with fiancee Jodie Haydon) has claimed he received two free tickets to one of Taylor Swift’s sold-out shows in Sydney.
Albanese faced a number of criticisms at the time for attending the performance.
while the Australians fought with a cost of living crisis.
‘Great job! “Albo is a Swiftie and Australians are getting poorer,” one social media user posted alongside a video of the Prime Minister enjoying himself.
That same week, Albanese was also among a crowd of 200 members of Australia’s business and political elites, attend a private concert Katy Perry at billionaire Anthony Pratt’s mansion in Melbourne.
A poster beneath images of Mr Albanese dancing at Taylor Swift’s show commented on his “body language”.
“He doesn’t feel comfortable, he jumps because others do, then the guy next to him (his son, Nathan) is more subdued, as is Ablo (sic), our prime minister.
‘Concerned about his appearance, I wonder if he knows he is being filmed.’
Taylor Swift performing during the first night of her Eras tour in Sydney
Others were more directly abusive, like the poster who wrote: “I don’t even know how this guy got in the afternoon.” This guy is just there to have as much fun as possible while he’s there and spend taxpayer money.
‘What has it solved? She has made life miserable for all Australians since she arrived there. Leave this country and live somewhere else and stop sucking people off.
Another added: “Australians are suffering from price increases in supermarkets, energy, transport etc… @AlboMP is on holiday.”
Albanese defended his attendance at Swift’s Sydney show, telling Weekend Sunrise on Sunday that “at a time when there is so much turmoil in the world, one of the reasons Taylor Swift’s tour has been so successful is because It’s so positive.”
‘She’s so uplifting, and that’s her message… And she’s a very welcome visitor here. And I think her message of female empowerment is positive,” she stated.
‘And secondly, it’s also been pretty good for the economy. Good for employment and good for economic activity. So that is always welcome too.”
The Prime Minister also appeared on Weekend Today and praised Swift’s talent, saying “she’s a great songwriter.” I think she’s a great lyricist.”
“I think she’s in the genre of Joni Mitchell and people who have come before her writing in ways that people can really relate to,” he said.
On a busy weekend, Anthony Albanese attended shows by Katy Perry (pictured left) in Melbourne and Taylor Swift (pictured right) in Sydney.
When asked about attending Perry’s secret show, Albanese said that was not his main reason for attending the function at Pratt’s mansion.
“Last night I gave a speech at the annual food and beverage dinner,” he said last month.
‘Last year it was held in Sydney. This year it was held here in Melbourne. It’s an annual event and it’s an opportunity to talk to manufacturers…
‘The good news I received last night from many of the companies was that they are expanding their operations. That means more jobs here and it means our economy is more resilient here, too.”
However, not all online comments about Albanese’s attendance at major pop concerts were negative.
One cartel used it as an opportunity to attack the previous prime minister. ‘Scomo is no longer prime minister. “Now we have a real one,” they wrote.
Taylor Swift performing during the first night of her Eras tour at Melbourne Cricket Ground