DJ Albo’s road tunes
Albanese backs call for funds
ANTHONY Albanese will consider dusting off his deckspinning musical alter-ego DJ Albo if he gets the right pitch for a night of nostalgic tunes in Cairns.
The former deputy prime minister had a break from Labor leadership jostling during a visit to Cairns yesterday to meet over lunch with Far North tourism advocates.
At a media scrum on the Esplanade, he “backed up” Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s $40 million commitment to extend the National Highway to the Cairns Airport but glossed over the fine print requiring equal funding from the Palaszczuk government.
“The fact is that we’ll continue to engage with the State Government,” he said.
“We’re showing national leadership on the issue of the National Highway – the M1 is a national responsibility.”
He said future highway extensions through to Smithfield were under consideration. Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey stopped short of pencilling a $40 million deduction on the state’s chequebook last month.
Mr Albanese has made a name for himself as a pancaketurner in Sydney and Melbourne under the moniker DJ Albo and performed last year on free-to-air morning TV program Studio 10.
With Labor candidate for Leichhardt Elida Faith by his side yesterday, he did not rule out bringing his skills out for a good cause in Cairns.
“Anything is possible,” he said. “I tend to do events from time to time to raise money for charity. “So if there was a charity here who Elida wanted to me help out, or who made an approach, I’d give it some consideration. It’s just been a bit of fun.”
Mr Albanese said he performed at a fundraiser for a women’s refuge in Sydney a few weeks ago and helped garner $10,000 in donations.