'Bit of tradition': Albanese brushes off Australian Open boos

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shrugged off a frosty reception from tennis fans at Sunday night’s Australian Open, saying it’s an Australian tradition to boo politicians at sporting events.

Attending Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena for the men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, Albanese was booed by sections of the crowd when he was acknowledged during the trophy presentation after the match.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australian Open ahead of the men’s singles final on Sunday night.Credit: Getty Images

“It’s a bit of tradition in Australian sport, isn’t it?” Albanese said on Melbourne’s Fox FM radio station on Monday when asked if he expected the reception, which was markedly different from last year’s men’s finals, when he was greeted with cheers and applause.

The government has begun the year embroiled in a political firestorm over its changes to the stage 3 tax package – announced by Albanese last week to provide more support to low and middle-income households – which Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has attacked as a broken promise.

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Labor colleagues reiterated Albanese’s lack of concern over the booing, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers telling media not to read too much into it while Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said there was a “fine Australian tradition” of giving politicians a hard time.

“I think it’s a well-worn Australian tradition at sporting events for that to happen, and I don’t think we should read too much into it,” Chalmers said in Canberra on Monday.

NSW Premier Chris Minns also dismissed the incident, saying: “I’ve been at many sporting events over the years and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a prime minister or a politician get a cheer.”

But independent Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie was critical of the crowd’s reaction.

“Where’s our values? Honestly, what are they booing him for? Because well, we’ve got a heap of rich people over there watching the tennis finals and they’ve had a bit of their tax taken off them to pay it forwards, to give to those who are less fortunate,” she said on Nine’s Today program.

“Where’s our Australian values? Is that what they’re booing him for because I’m still trying to work [it] out.”

Former Coalition prime minister Scott Morrison was booed at several sporting events, including the Australian Open in 2019, as well as the March 2022 state memorial service to honour the late former Australian Test cricketer Shane Warne. Morrison said at the time booing was a “ritual” for Australians.

Other former leaders have also faced booing from crowds at various times.

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