On the final day of the final parliamentary sitting week of the year, the prime minister got married in a low-key ceremony at The Lodge in Canberra.
Anthony Albanese became the first prime minister to wed while in office when he tied the knot with Jodie Haydon.
And plenty of commentators went sniffing around for an angle following news of the nuptials on Saturday. Perhaps on what, if anything, was charged back to the taxpayers. Or why a sitting PM should be able to take a day out for a wedding, when we’re living through a cost-of-living crisis.
But what most in the media have found is two people living very public lives, deciding to get married at an entirely sensible time in a way that was far removed from some of the other high-profile weddings we’ve seen this year. While the wedding was held at the prime minister’s residence, all expenses were paid for privately by the couple.
Australians, at least according to (most) sentiment shared on social media, seemed happy to learn that the wedding had occurred.
Even political enemies seemed unwilling, or unable, to say anything negative about the event.
On Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program, the host declared, “We can hardly even use that grab,” in response to Opposition leader Sussan Ley, who said she was fine with the wedding being held at the lodge and that “I wish Anthony and Jodie every happiness.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud said of Jodie Haydon that she “has already stepped up on the international stage and represented us in such a classy way for some time, and now they’ve solidified their partnership with marriage, and I think good on him and I hope he has a bit of a break now.”
Albanese and Haydon have been together since 2019, and engaged since Valentine’s Day last year. Their wedding included just 80 guests and was kept under wraps, despite the invite being sent six weeks ago and going to various political types who have plenty of experience leaking to the media. They’ll now spend five days on their honeymoon in Australia. Again, a sensible decision to stay close to home and to support businesses and destinations.
Not everyone will care to share a moment or thought of happiness for the couple. Some will prefer to share accusations and snarky comments.
But there’s something to be said for living in a country where two people can find each other later in life, as in Albanese’s case, each with their own successful careers, independence and histories behind them.
There’s also something to be said for living in a country where such a relationship is not an especially strong talking point when it comes to election day.
Congratulations, Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon.