Anthony Albanese defends Garma Festival absence after revealing he hasn’t taken a day off all year
Anthony Albanese has opened up about the toll of the top job while responding to questions over his decision to miss this year’s Garma Festival.
Labor figures say their workaholic Prime Minister is due for a well-earned break after a flu-ridden Anthony Albanese revealed on Thursday that he has “not taken a day off all year”.
Mr Albanese has defended his decision not to attend next month’s remote indigenous Garma Festival in the Northern Territory after committing in 2025 to travel to the event every year he remains in office.
In an interview with ABC Radio Sydney, the PM was pressed on whether his change of plans amounted to a “broken promise”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I haven’t had a day off all year. And this weekend, in a few days, I’ll be in another remote part of the Northern Territory. Garma isn’t the only festival that’s taking place,” he said.
“I will be on leave at that time, but I will be at another festival in the Northern Territory in the coming days. I’ve been to Garma every year that it’s been held since I’ve been Labor leader and indeed going back further.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Indigenous Minister Malarndirri McCarthy along with several other Labor frontbenchers are instead expected to attend the festival.
The Nightly has confirmed the Prime Minister has not taken a formal day of leave during 2026 but in December last year he and his newlywed wife Jodie Haydon took a five-day honeymoon following their wedding at the lodge.
During his interview on Thursday, the PM also revealed he was suffering from the flu, which he suggested was a result of his busy schedule.
“I’m actually speaking to you now with the flu I’ve had, you keep going. Your diary is full, and it’s been a fully engaged time,” Mr Albanese said.
Mr Albanese also ducked questions over whether his wife had counselled him against doing any further podcast interviews following his appearance on the Deep Bush program, declaring: “look, I’ve dealt with that issue”.
One Labor MP told the Nightly they wouldn’t be surprised if Ms Haydon had suggested it was time for her husband to “take some time off after making several stupid recent mistakes”. Another Labor figure suggested that while strictly speaking the PM had not enjoyed a “day off” during 2026, there were dates in his diary where “engagements are pretty light on” and he was able to avoid going into the office.
