'Haven't had a day off all year': PM Defends Broken Festival Promise

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his decision not to attend the Garma Festival this month, despite having promised to attend every year he holds office. The festival, Australia's largest Indigenous gathering, is set to commence on July 31 in the Northern Territory.

Albanese stated he has been working tirelessly, saying, "I haven't had a day off all year." He indicated he would be attending another festival in a different part of the Northern Territory soon, adding that he has attended Garma every year since becoming Labor leader in 2019. Senior ministers Penny Wong and Malarndirri McCarthy are scheduled to attend the four-day event.

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I haven't had a day off all year.

Last year, Albanese vowed at the Garma Key Forum, "I commit here that, every single year that I have the great honour to be Australia’s prime minister, I will be here and engaged with you." His absence this year has drawn criticism, particularly following the government's focus on Indigenous affairs, including the failed referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Yothu Yindi Foundation, which hosts the festival, acknowledged Albanese as a "good friend" who has attended since 2019. However, the prime minister's broken promise comes after previous scrutiny over commitment changes, such as alterations to negative gearing and capital gains tax policies shortly after the 2022 election.

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I commit here that, every single year that I have the great honour to be Australia’s prime minister, I will be here and engaged with you.