Australia’s Prime Minister has visited Bendigo for the second time in six months.
Anthony Albanese made a fleeting appearance in the City on Tuesday, June 9th alongside the federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles and local MP Lisa Chesters.
The trio held a media conference at a local campus of Bendigo TAFE, where they were keen to spruik the Commonwealth’s Free TAFE initiative and efforts to address a national skills shortfall.
But it was matters of state politics that the media took a greater interest in, particularly his party’s waning support under Premier Jacinta Allan.
When asked whether Ms Allan is the best person to lead Labor at this year’s state election, Mr Albanese said she was “the best person” to lead Victoria, calling her a “strong advocate” for the community.
“I’ve known Jacinta for a long period of time. We were both Infrastructure Ministers… in the former government, when I was the Minister in 2007,” the PM said.
“Jacinta Allan has a record of delivering for this local community. I know that she’s so passionate about it and she’ll continue to do so.”
Asked why Ms Allan wasn’t appearing at the media conference, Mr Albanese said she was “undertaking her duties in Melbourne”.
“We speak regularly. We have a very positive and good relationship, as I do, with premiers right around the country,” he added.
The man widely known as “Albo” previously appeared in the region back in January, briefly visiting the Bendigo Incident Control Centre to discuss and assess the impact of the Ravenswood South bushfire.
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