A Labor MP and former Home Secretary own seven homes in Australia, it has been revealed.
The revelations about politicians and their property portfolios come amid a storm surrounding Anthony Albanese following his $4.3 million beachfront mansion purchase.
Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, federal MP for Higgins, south-east of Melbourne, has seven properties registered in her or her husband’s name on a public register where politicians must declare all real estate, shares, trusts and gifts.
She and her husband own four houses in Victoria, in the suburbs of Porepunkah, Canterbury, North Melbourne and North Carlton.
The couple also share two properties in Brisbane and one in Beaumaris, Tasmania.
Brisbane’s homes and properties in North Carlton are listed in her husband’s name.
Meanwhile, Liberal MP and former Home Secretary Karen Andrews also has an impressive property portfolio.
Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, federal MP for Higgins, south-east of Melbourne, has seven properties registered in her or her husband’s name on a public register where politicians must declare all real estate, shares, trusts and gifts.
Dr. Michelle Ananda-Rajah is seen with Anthony Albanese in May 2022.
Mrs Andrews, MP for McPherson on the Gold Coast, who is retiring at the next election, and her husband Chris together own seven homes.
The couple have five properties in Queensland: Mudgeeraba, Palm Beach, two in Clear Island Waters and one in Ayr.
They also own homes in Deniliquin in New South Wales and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
Politicians must register their assets in the 47th parliament’s Register of Members’ Interests, which is accessible to the public.
Dr Ananda-Rajah and Ms Andrews currently own the majority of the properties, according to the registry.
The current Home Secretary, Tony Burke, owns six properties.
It comes after the Prime Minister faced backlash when it emerged he had taken over a five-bedroom clifftop apartment in Copacabana on the New South Wales Central Coast.
The house has ocean views from almost every room and cathedral ceilings.
Meanwhile, Liberal MP and former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews (left with staffer Valeria Cheglov) also boasts an impressive property portfolio.
The move sparked debate on social media, with several Australians pointing out that the prime minister was buying his luxury homes during a severe housing shortage, with rising rents and high interest rates hurting many mortgage holders.
“It’s good to know he’s a normal fighter,” one joked.
“Labor politicians are simply too rich and too distant to understand the everyday struggles of real Australians,” said another.
A Sky News reporter asked the Prime Minister if he thought the purchase looked “good” during Australia’s cost of living crisis.
Speaking at an announcement in Logan, south of Brisbane, on Tuesday about measures to address the housing shortage, Albanese said buying a home with a future spouse was very much in line with the experiences of ordinary Australians.
The Prime Minister recently purchased a $4.3 million home on the Central Coast where he will live with his fiancée Jodie Haydon.
The house sits right at the top of the cliff on a 790 square meter lot and is just a walk from the beach.
‘Jodie and I are getting married. Jodie is a coastal. “She’s a proud Coastie – there are three generations of Haydons on the coast and when your relationship changes, your life changes and you make decisions,” he replied.
‘But what I’m focused on is making sure everyone can have a roof over their heads. I am focused on increasing investment in public housing and social housing.’
The journalist noted that Mr. Albanese’s sprawling ocean-view home was “very different” from his modest new marital home.
‘I am much better off as prime minister… as prime minister I have a good income. I understand that I have been fortunate,” said Mr. Albanese.
‘I also know what it’s like to fight. My mother lived in the only public housing (flat) in which she was born during her 65 years.
“I know what it’s like and that’s why I want to help all Australians get into a home, whether it’s public housing, private rentals or home ownership.”
The Prime Minister is the proud new owner of the five-bedroom hotel in Copacabana on the New South Wales Central Coast.
