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Anthony Albanese baffles Aussies as the Prime Minister plugs the opening of new fast food chain in slick promotional video: ‘Is this even real’
Anthony Albanese drew criticism after posting a promotional-style video of himself visiting Jollibee, a Filipino fast-food chain, during a trip to Manila for the ASEAN summit. The video, featuring a costumed bee mascot serving him chicken, prompted questions about why the Prime Minister was promoting a multinational business while Australian firms and households faced rising costs.
The visit marked franchise agreements for 35 Jollibee stores in New South Wales and Victoria over the next five years, with Campbelltown confirmed as the first location but no opening date announced. Albanese said the expansion would create hundreds of jobs and bring a familiar taste to Filipino Australians; the company operates more than 1,600 stores in 17 countries, and more than 400,000 Australian residents were born in the Philippines.
In short
- Albanese’s Jollibee video drew criticism online.
- The chain plans 35 stores in NSW and Victoria.
- The Prime Minister says the expansion will create hundreds of jobs.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The visit can be seen as practical economic diplomacy: highlighting a franchise investment expected to create hundreds of Australian jobs, while recognising the tastes and community ties of Filipino Australians. A light-hearted public appearance may also help promote Australia as a welcoming place to do business during a regional summit.
The case against
Critics can reasonably question whether a prime minister should lend the office’s profile to a multinational fast-food brand, especially in a promotional-style video. With households and local businesses facing rising costs, the appearance may seem out of touch and raises questions about whether government attention is being directed towards broad public interests or a single company.
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