SUBJECT: Visit to Bargara.
 
HOST: Just had a note get run in here. Is this a prank? I'm not sure. But the note is that apparently, one Anthony Albanese, the Leader of the Opposition, has been holidaying in Bargara and is interested to have a chat. So, I've got his number, so I'll see what happens here and see if this is a stitch up or whether it's actually Albo. 
 
ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Hello?
 
HOST: Hello, is that Albo? 
 
ALBANESE: It is, indeed.
 
HOST: Mate, it's JB from the Triple M Brekkie show here in Bundy. We hear you are in our neck of the woods.
 
ALBANESE: I have been. I've been just listening to you this morning. Appreciate you playing The Who.
 
HOST: We won you over with The Who?
 
ALBANESE: You won me over all the last four days I've had off here, staying up Bargara and listening to Triple M. You play fantastic music. 
 
HOST: We appreciate having you as a fan and we appreciate having you here in Bargara. What do you think the hidden gems are?
 
ALBANESE: It's fantastic. All the locals have been so friendly. And it's great. They give you space. They just say, 'G'day, good to see you having some time off'. And 'don't tell anyone' is the big commitment that I've had to give. It is a wonderful place. Everyone's so chilled.
 
HOST: You're right, Anthony. It's such a great community down at Bargara. Everyone is so warm and welcoming down there. This can't be your first visit to Bargara, is it? 
 
ALBANESE: Well, I stayed here on the road trip when I think I might have spoken to you. We did a road trip from Rocky down to Brisbane in July or August when we were locked out of Sydney for a while there. So I used Canberra as a base and I had two big road trips through Queensland, and so we stayed here one night. We drove from Rocky through Biloela, had dinner at the pub and then ended up here late at night. It was like, 'This is fantastic, it'd be good to come back'. The place I'm staying at is run by a family. And I made a booking the next week and had to delay it a couple of times because of borders. But it's been worth the wait. It's a hidden little gem and a place where you can just be quiet and chill. Great beach. A pub. You only need one good pub.
 
HOST: In saying that, there's about three good pubs within an arm's length. So, you've only discovered the one, the Bargara Beach Hotel.
 
ALBANESE: Yeah, haven't got past there.
 
HOST: Well, I am going to have to show you. I've got a few other locations to show you.
 
ALBANESE: Well, the Windmill Cafe, I've got to say, for brekkie is quite good.
 
HOST: Have you tried the Southern fried chicken stack yet?
 
ALBANESE: I haven't tried that. 
 
HOST: So, a waffle, Southern fried chicken, maple bacon, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce.
 
ALBANESE: Joey, who runs the joint there, is so friendly. And I got to know all the staff there, I think. A whole lot of young people learning skills in hospitality. And everyone here is just so friendly. It's been terrific. And I had a great break. So a big shout-out to all the locals for making us feel very welcome. And a shout-out to Queenslanders in general too for doing such a fantastic job keeping each other safe. It's been a far better 2021 in Queensland, I think, than it's been in the southern states. And that's a credit to everyone here in Queensland and, of course, Annastacia and the team for doing the right thing.
 
HOST: One hundred per cent. And enjoy the turtle playground as well. Thanks again for reaching out, Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese. And look forward to 2022.
 
ALBANESE: Cheers. Have a great Christmas, everyone. Stay safe.
 
HOST: Good on you, Albo. Merry Christmas to you.
 
ENDS