Celebrity Reactions: Magda Szubanski and More Celebrate Anthony Albanese’s Rise to Prime Minister

Several prominent figures across the nation have shared their thoughts on the Labor Party’s recent electoral victory, marking Anthony Albanese’s rise to become Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.

Among them, comedian Magda Szubanski didn’t hold back her criticism of the outgoing Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, with a series of sharp tweets on Sunday. Meanwhile, actor and filmmaker Brendan Cowell took a humorous jab at Morrison’s fondness for the NRL team, the Cronulla Sharks.

Following the election, where the Labor Party secured at least nine seats previously held by the Liberals, Anthony Albanese is set to be officially sworn in as Prime Minister.

Magda Szubanski, 61, expressed her joy to her followers, stating she hadn’t felt this delighted since the nation achieved marriage equality.

“Last night, Australia demonstrated that, despite some attempts, we are not a country aspiring to be like Trump. We appreciate good governance, the rule of law, and a blend of idealism and compassionate pragmatism,” she tweeted.

“I haven’t experienced such relief and happiness since the passage of marriage equality,” she further shared.

The Kath & Kim star also followed with a Tweet, which included the hashtag ‘ScomoNoMo’.

‘How ironic that the man who blamed everyone but himself now has no one to blame BUT himself,’ she posted online.

Meanwhile, Brendan, 45, who was born in Cronulla in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, took to his Instagram Stories on Saturday and roasted Mr Morrison.  

The Love My Way star said he’s ‘once again the number one Sharks supporter’, referencing Mr Morrison’s love of the NRL team.

Mr Morrison often showed his support for the team after he became a member for Cook in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

‘Once again – I am the Cronulla Sharks number one ticket holder – Australia has spoken,’ Brendan captioned a video of himself sitting in the crowd at an NRL game.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Mr Albanese in an official statement. 

‘Our countries have a long history and a bright future together. As thriving like-minded democracies we work every day to make the world a better, safer, greener and more prosperous place,’ he said.

‘As we reap the rewards of our comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the AUKUS partnership and the unmatched closeness between the British and Australian people, we do so knowing that the only distance between us is geographical.’

Nigella Lawson, who is currently in Australia filming the upcoming season of My Kitchen Rules, got into the spirt of election night, sharing her celebratory thoughts.

‘What a night to be in Australia!’ the 62-year-old British chef wrote on Twitter on Saturday, shortly after the election results were announced.  

While Nigella did not specify a party preference, she has been known to support the Labour Party in her native United Kingdom.

Abbie Chatfield was out drinking with friends as the election results were revealed, and she didn’t hold back her feelings on the former PM.

While watching a video of Morrison’s concession speech, Abbie, 26, stuck her middle finger up at the screen while taunting the politician with her friends. 

Sharing a photo of the outrageous moment to Instagram, the reality star wrote: ‘Bye babe!!!’ 

‘Hope you know everyone in this club was happy when I told them you lost,’ she added.

Abbie also reposted a video shared by a friend which was captioned: ‘Bye Scumo’ – a derogatory take on Morrison’s nickname, Scomo.  

The Labor leader addressed jubilant supporters in Sydney shortly before midnight after receiving a concession call from Scott Morrison.

He said: ‘I say to my fellow Australians, thank you for this extraordinary honour. 

‘Tonight the Australian people have voted for change. I am humbled by this victory and I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia.’ 

‘My Labor team will work every day to bring Australians together, and I will lead a government, worthy of the people of Australia’.

Speaking alongside his wife Jenny and two daughters to the Liberal faithful in Sydney, Mr Morrison said: ‘Tonight, I have spoken to the Leader of the Opposition and the incoming Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. 

‘And I’ve congratulated him on his election victory this evening.

‘I have always believed in Australians and their judgement and I’ve always been prepared to accept their verdicts.

‘And tonight they have delivered their verdict and I congratulate Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party and I wish him and his government all the very best.’ 

Mr Morrison said he will step down as Liberal leader at the next party meeting, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton favourite to take over. 

Outgoing: Mr Morrison delivered a concession speech to devastated Liberal supporters after calling Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on Labor winning power for the first time since 2013. Pictured with his daughters Lily and Abbey