Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shrugged off being booed following the Australian Open men’s final in Melbourne.
He was greeted with loud boos when his name was mentioned, causing a brief delay in the ceremony.
“It’s a bit of tradition in Australian sport, isn’t it?” Albanese told Fox FM.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers insisted it was ‘no big deal’.
“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,” he said.
When asked about the suggestion the boos were in response to the stage 3 tax cut backflips, independent senator Jacqui Lambie told Today she was less than impressed.
“Where are 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 forward, to give to those who are less fortunate. For God’s sake, I don’t have a problem with that.”
“They just don’t like him. They want the Liberals in … I’m not sure it’s any better. The grass isn’t any greener on the other side to be honest with you at this point.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns told Today he believed the actions of the packed crowd was a “great Australian tradition”.
“I’ve been to many sporting events over the years and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a prime minister or a politician get a cheer,” he said.
“I’m sure there (was) people sitting in their seats who (were) quietly cheering. But it’s a great Australian tradition to boo a politician at a sporting event.”
The changes will see middle to low-income earners benefit more, while higher-income earners will see a smaller tax cut than they were previously promised.
