Q: Just before, when you were on stage, there was a bit of a grizzle where you were asked if you were going to the footy and said, “I’m not allowed to have fun in this job.” Serious question – do you feel straitjacketed in this?

Albanese:

Look, I wish I could go to the pub with my mates without any of you.

Journalist: We’re not your mates?

Albanese:

No, without security with some of you as well! There are people here who I’ve had really good engagement with. It’s a different dynamic. One of them is laughing right here. You know, you can catch up and stuff. There are restrictions in the job but that’s part of the deal.

That’s part of the arrangement and it’s an incredible privilege that I have and tonight I will be watching the Rabbitohs beat the Chooks on TV and I look forward to that. I’m watching it with Jodie and my son and Toto. All four of us are South Sydney supporters. Toto, in fact, thinks that little rabbit is actually a Toto symbol.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his dog Toto at The Lodge in Canberra