Anthony Albanese has stunned the audience at a folk festival by allowing a group of protesters to heckle him.
The prime minister made a surprise appearance at the Woodford Folk Festival on Wednesday, 76km north-west of Brisbane, but was constantly interrupted by environmental protesters.
Many of them were wearing T-shirts saying ‘Stop Adani’ – a grassroots protest group that is fighting to stop a coal mine in Queensland – and positioned themselves in a group to the left of the stage.
Mr Albanese, who was wearing an Akubra hat and a black polo, was patient with the protesters as they shouted ‘keep it in the ground’.
At one point he said ‘I think you might want to show some respect for what I have to say next’.
However the protesters continued to shout, so he said: ‘How about we agree, we’ll give the group over here another minute to chant whatever they want, and then we’ll get on with it’.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressing Adani protesters at the Woodford Folk Festival
This was met with applause and cheers from most of the audience, but more foulmouthed shouts of ‘bull***t’ from the protesting group.
When he was eventually able to speak, Mr Albanese sang the praises of former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke, who was a regular attendee at Woodford.
He also took a sly dig at Scott Morrison, the man he ousted in May at the federal election.
‘At the heart of Bob Hawke was a prodigious dedication to work and to detail, and an energy that he channelled into making life better for his fellow Australians,’ he said.
‘An extraordinary leader who knew that no true leader stands alone. His ministry was one of depth and breadth, and each of those ministers was fully trusted with their portfolios.
‘Bob relied on them for their expertise and for their judgment – and he didn’t secretly help himself to any of their portfolios along the way.’
To the cheers of most in the audience, Mr Albanese listed what he saw as his government’s achievements since winning power seven months ago.
These included saying the government had begun to close the gender pay gap, improved female representation in his party and cabinet and calming the energy market.
Among those in the audience were Mr Hawke’s widow, Blanche d’Alpuget, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Arts Minister Tony Burke.
Protesters (pictured) heckled Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Woodford Folk Festival
In the audience were Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney (left) and Arts Minister Tony Burke (centre)
Mr Albanese focused part of his speech on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which is expected to be voted on in a referendum in the second half of 2023.
‘When Woodford takes place next year, the referendum on the Voice to Parliament will have been held,’ he said.
‘This is an opportunity for all of us to be a part of enriching our nation and being even stronger in the future.
‘We live in the world’s greatest nation, but an even greater Australia is so tantalisingly within our reach.’
Bob Hawke’s widow Blanche D’Alpuget (left) watched Mr Albanese’s speech on Wednesday afternoon, sitting next to his girlfriend Jodie Haydon (right)
The late Labor prime minister Bob Hawke (left) is pictured with his wife Blanche d’Alpuget (left) on January 12, 2013 in Sydney
Nationals senator Matt Canavan later slammed Mr Albanese for showing ‘hubris’ over the Voice to Parliament.
‘It’s a little bit sad for the Prime Minister when he can’t even win over the sandal makers and basket weavers at the Woodford Folk Festival,’ he said on Sky News.
‘He can’t even win them over. They’re shouting him down, they’re protesting against other things.
‘They don’t seem all that enthused about this Voice.’
Nationals senator Matt Canavan (pictured) slammed Anthony Albanese over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament
A protestor holds a sign as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland
Mr Canavan said he was not surprised because ‘when I get out and around … I don’t think I had anyone raise with me that they think what this nation needs is more politicians in Canberra’.
He said if a vote for the Voice passed it would mean ‘more influence for people who live around Canberra, less influence for those who actually have to deal with the day to day vagaries of Indigenous communities’.
Mr Canavan said the Nationals oppose the Voice because ‘we’re lined up against the elites of our nation in our inner cities’.
The conservative Queenslander said ‘very few people are engaged or care about the Voice.
‘I would hazard a guess that if you asked 10 people down the street about the Voice, the majority would say it’s a reality TV show.’
Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon are pictured backstage after his speech at the Woodford Folk Festival
