Jodie Haydon will be Australia’s first lady. Here’s what we know about Anthony Albanese’s partner and her new role
The spouse of the prime minister of Australia generally assists the prime minister with ceremonial duties, campaign events and various other responsibilities.
And while Anthony Albanese’s partner, Jodie Haydon, is preparing to take on these responsibilities, she’s also gearing up to challenge the traditional, often stereotypical role of Australia’s first lady.
As she prepares to take on the high-profile role, Haydon will soon share the same experiences of the first ladies that came before her: living under a microscope.
What is the role of the prime minister’s spouse?
Research fellow and lecturer at the Australian National University Dr Blair Williams says fascination with the prime ministerial spouse in Australia has coincided with the “presidentialisation” of our politics.
“There has been a fascination with ‘First Ladies’ in the US and we’ve seemed to have taken part of that and inserted it into our own political culture,” Dr Williams told ABC News.
“The role of the spouse is heavily gendered and they’re often held to feminine stereotypes, such as being supportive, nurturing and constantly being there for the prime minister and usually mothering their children or playing some maternal role.”
Albanese is the first unmarried prime minister since Julia Gillard and only the second in Australia’s history.
“It will be interesting to see how Haydon will adapt to her new role,” Dr Williams said.
‘The expectation for spouses to quit their job doesn’t match the reality of modern relationships’
In an April interview with News Corp, Haydon said she will continue her own career pursuits and intends to avoid political commentary.
“My job will be to focus on my day job and allow Anthony to focus on his,” she told News Corp.
Dr Williams says this is relatively uncommon for prime minister’s spouses in Australia.
“The expectation for spouses to quit their job doesn’t match the reality of modern relationships.”
Haydon has previously been outspoken in her support for women’s rights and safety, such as backing the Respect@Work report’s implementations.
Dr Williams says this is very much in line with what the Labor Party announced during the election campaign.
“It will be interesting to see whether Haydon will have an impact or influence its implementation.”
Who is Jodie Haydon?
Haydon, 43, was born in Bankstown, Sydney but grew up on the Central Coast.
A daughter of two school teachers, Haydon’s career began in the superannuation industry, working as a strategic partnership manager.
In February this year, she changed to a new role as a women’s officer for the NSW Public Service Association.
How did they meet?
Albanese and Haydon’s official public announcement as a couple was a joint interview in The Australian Women’s Weekly magazine in February this year.
In the feature, Albanese shared that they first met during a business dinner in Melbourne in 2020 where he was speaking.
After asking the crowd if there were any South Sydney rugby league supporters, Haydon yelled out, “Up the Rabbitohs!”, he told the magazine.
Not long after, Albanese introduced himself to Haydon. The two then met up with each other over drinks at a trendy Newtown brewery.
A year later, the couple met again after Albanese’s separation from former NSW deputy premier Ms Tebbutt.
Will she be moving into Kirribilli House or The Lodge?
Speaking to news.com.au, Albanese revealed he will leave his home in Marrickville to live at The Lodge in Canberra or Kirribilli House.
He has not yet revealed which will be his primary base.
He also did not disclose whether Haydon will be moving in with him.
And with Albanese turning his attention to the Quad meeting in Tokyo, Haydon’s future living arrangements remain unclear for now.
Currently, Albanese and Haydon do not live together. Albanese resides at his Marrickville home, while Haydon lives nearby in Stanmore.
ABC
