Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lashes beachgoers who use gazebos to reserve sand space

An argument against the use of cabanas to reserve beach space has had an unlikely participant — the prime minister.

At the weekend, beachgoers flocked to the sand along Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, with several social media posts capturing pop-up tents from early in the day.

But users noted that some owners would come and go through the day, and effectively used the gazebos to hold their space.

One Safety Beach local called the act “unAustralian” while another said it was “plain rude”.

Speaking to Nine on Tuesday morning, while spruiking his government’s policies to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, Anthony Albanese was asked for his view on the debate.

He simply said: “That’s not on.”

“Unlike some parts of the world, (where) you go and you’ve got to pay to go to the beach, here, everyone owns the beach,” he said.

“Everyone. And it’s a place where every Australian is equal.

“And that’s a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.”

The furore, which was first reported by the Herald Sun, sparked intense debate among the Sunrise hosts on Tuesday.

“I feel like this is something that started at hotels, with the pool reservations, and this is really now reaching a 10 out of 10 level,” Sally Bowrey said.

Monique Wright agreed, saying she wouldn’t set up a cabana but would use a towel to reserve space while she swam.

“There truly is nothing more annoying, and I absolutely do it.”

Michael Usher described the cabana as a step too far.

“At the beach, setting up the cabana and hogging that bit of real estate, if you’re not there — that’s a no.”