Anthony Albanese has been accused of committing a “dog act” over a detail in a seemingly innocent photo of the Prime Minister and his Toto hoax.
Albanese shared a couple of X-rated photos of his dog while walking in front of Parliament House in Canberra on Saturday morning.
In one photo, ‘Australia’s First Dog’ sat and posed for the camera alongside his owner with Parliament House and its famous 81-metre flagpole in the background.
Albanese, shielding his eyes from the bright winter sun behind a pair of sunglasses and a cap from his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs, captioned the post: “Grass in Parliament = Toto approved.”
In another photo, Toto could be seen wandering around the lush green grass in the heart of the government without a clue.
Eagle-eyed observers swarmed the jolly pole, wondering if Toto was allowed to let go of his leash.
In one image, ‘Australia’s first dog’ sits and poses patiently for the camera alongside his owner, with the Parliament buildings and its famous 81-metre flagpole in the background.
Albanese, shielding his eyes from the bright winter sun behind a pair of sunglasses and a cap from his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs, captioned the X post: “Grass in Parliament = Toto approved.”
ACT Government rules state that the area around Parliament House is prohibited to dogs, whether on a lead or not, and the fine for breaching this is $150.
It is unclear whether Albanese has a permit for Toto that would allow him to walk her around parliamentary grounds.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Prime Minister’s office and the National Capital Authority for comment.
Social media users accused Albanese of violating the rules.
“Apparently the law does not apply to Albo and his dog,” wrote one.
‘Dogs are prohibited anywhere in or around Parliament. Rules for you but not for me.
Another referred directly to the Transport Canberra and City Services initiative, led by the ACT Government.
—Are they going to fine Albo for walking his dog and having it off leash in a prohibited area? they asked.
Others simply put the trunk in, accusing the Prime Minister of having lost touch.
‘For one day, just one day, can’t you show how completely disconnected you are from reality or how entitled you are?’ one asked.
ACT Government rules state that the area around Parliament House is off-limits to dogs, whether they are on a lead or not, and the fine for non-compliance is $150.
The reaction on X, formerly Twitter, was not pleasant for the Prime Minister
Toto, believed to be eight years old, made headlines in October last year when his travel habits came under scrutiny.
National Senator Bridget McKenzie grilled Air Force Chief Robert Chipman at a Senate hearing about Toto’s jet-setting lifestyle.
“Could you please provide us with a list of all flights since May 21, 2022 on which animals, and specifically an animal named Toto, have been allowed on board special purpose aircraft?” she asked.
Chipman confirmed that a pet was known to travel on the special plane used primarily by the Prime Minister for official duties.
Toto often appears in photographs with the Prime Minister and became a celebrity in his own right during the intense campaign period leading up to the 2022 election.
The dog divides her time between her owner’s residences at Kirribilli House in Sydney and The Lodge in Canberra when Parliament meets (pictured: Toto, Albanese and her partner Jodie Haydon).
“I am aware that there is a history of VIPs traveling with pets on VIP planes,” he said.
“(But) we don’t keep comprehensive records of when animals travel on VIP planes.”
This is not the first time Albanese has found himself in trouble over Toto’s social media posts.
In 2022, the Labor leader shared a photo of his beloved cavoodle, Toto, watching as he did a series of live crosses for the ABC and the Nine Network’s Today Show on Friday morning.
However, the image was quickly removed from social media because it clearly showed the prime ministerial hopeful’s phone number on the dog’s collar.
Toto often appears in photographs with the Prime Minister and became a celebrity in his own right during the intense campaign period leading up to the 2022 election.
The dog divides her time between her owner’s residences at Kirribilli House in Sydney and The Lodge in Canberra when parliament meets.
“Toto has a special brand of dog food, it’s the only one she eats. Yes, she’s a princess,” the prime minister told Nova radio station last year.
Toto fans created an account on X, formerly Twitter, for the pet bag.
Toto’s profile bio reads: “Office of Toto Albanese, Australia’s first dog.”
