By Emmanuel Nduka
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his son “is not a public figure”, in response to media reports claiming that he helped Nathan land a two-week, unpaid internship at consultancy firm PwC in Australia.
The Australian Financial Review on Monday cited multiple sources who they say claimed Albanese had discussions with the firm’s former government relations boss Sean Gregory about a position when Albanese was opposition leader in 2021.
According to the report, a spokesman for the prime minister said “What you have suggested is incorrect” but did not clarify what was incorrect.
His son went on to secure a two-week, unpaid placement in PwC’s economics and policy unit in Sydney. It alleged that at a function months later, Albanese leader thanked former PwC chief executive Tom Seymour for organizing the internship.
When quizzed by reporters whether the alleged engagement would have been appropriate, Albanese did not directly address the story’s allegation but questioned why the media were focused on his family. “My son is not a public figure,” Albanese simply told reporters on Monday.
“He is a young person trying to make his way in the world and it is up to you to ask whatever questions you like, but I refer you to David Littleproud’s comments that were entirely appropriate when he was asked about that,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Nationals leader had refused to comment on the allegations raised by the Australian Financial Review and said it was inappropriate to comment on other politician’s family members.
“I know Anthony Albanese’s son. He is well educated and well qualified and as far as I’m concerned, a very good young man. He’ll make a great contribution to wherever he goes. I don’t think we need to get into the personal attacks of family members, from my perspective anyway,” Littleproud said.
A code of conduct for ministers, signed by Albanese in June 2022, said ministers must “ensure that they declare any private interests held by them or members of their families which give rise to, or are likely to give rise to, a conflict with their public duties”.
