Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed he is unwell with the flu and plans to take his first leave of the year, asserting he has worked without a break throughout 2026. The Prime Minister disclosed his illness after being questioned by ABC host Hamish Macdonald regarding his commitment to attend the Garma Festival annually.
Albanese will not attend this year's Garma Festival, which is Australia's largest Indigenous cultural gathering, when it is held in Arnhem Land later this month. When asked by Macdonald if this constituted a broken promise, Albanese responded that he had worked continuously and deserved a holiday.
"You know what, Hamish? I haven't had a day off all year," Albanese stated. "Garma isn't the only festival that's taken place. I've been to Garma. It's a wonderful festival. I informed the people who operate Garma there, the wonderful people, the Gumatj people, some time ago that I wouldn't go because I will be on leave at that time."
He added, "Sometimes, speaking to you now with the flu I've had, you keep going. My diary is full, and it's been a fully engaged time."
The conversation also touched on a recent podcast interview where Albanese participated in a game of 'shag, marry or date' and made a remark about himself and Jodie Haydon. Macdonald inquired if Haydon had spoken to him about participating in such games.
"Look, I've dealt with that issue," Albanese replied. "There are two things that you need to do when you make a mistake. One is to apologise..." The interview concluded before he could finish his statement.
Albanese's most recent official leave was a five-day honeymoon with Jodie Haydon in Palau in December of the previous year. Prior to that, he took a seven-day break in October. The current illness, the flu, has led to his decision to pull out of the Garma Festival and take time off.
