Anthony Albanese booed on stage at Bluesfest: 'Real interaction'
After a warm reception following his arrival at Byron Bay's Bluesfest, Labor leader Anthony Albanese was booed when he took to the stage on Sunday to introduce music legend Jimmy Barnes.
Footage circulating online shows boos erupting from the crowd when the emcee announced a federal election was coming up, introducing Mr Albanese as "the man that represents the working-class people".
He took to the stage amid boos, beginning his short speech by saying it was "great to be at Bluesfest" and acknowledging the traditional owners of the land.
He then praised Australians for being "magnificent over the last couple of years", calling for a government that "backs the arts sector" before welcoming Jimmy Barnes to the stage.
Mr Albanese's less-than-friendly reception was in stark contrast to the one he received when he arrived at the festival.
On Monday, Mr Albanese thanked Jimmy Barnes for the invite, telling reporters it was a "terrific night".
The mixed reaction was reflected in a recent Resolve Strategic poll by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age which showed Prime Minister Scott Morrison currently leads as preferred prime minister with 38 per cent to Mr Albanese's 30 per cent.
Last week, Mr Albanese shocked reporters in Melbourne after walking out of a press conference after just eight minutes in, breaking an early promise he'd made to answer every question he's asked because he's "not Scott Morrison".
Mr Albanese left the press conference amid questioning over Labor’s dumped plans to review the JobSeeker rate.
Labor government defends Albanese's appearance
Shadow finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC News Breakfast Mr Albanese's surprise Bluesfest appearance showed "the kind of Prime Minister" he would be if elected.
"I think that this election campaign, you have to keep it real," Ms Gallagher said.
"You can't just have stage-managed, controlled events like the Prime Minister is having where nobody gets to see anybody."
Ms Gallagher then said the Labor leader is happy to "put himself in front of any crowd" and talk about what's important.
"Last night, he was talking about constitutional recognition and support for the arts," she said.
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"And that's the type of person that he is. He's not going to be held behind doors so that you never see any real interaction with anybody.
"You know, that's the kind of leader that he is and that's the kind of Prime Minister that he would be."
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