Albanese Sets Off on Honeymoon, Marles and Wong to Act as PM

There’s some ministerial movement going on as Australia’s leader jets off on a 5-day post-wedding vacation.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) and his new wife Jodie Haydon walk together during their wedding ceremony in Canberra on Nov. 29, 2025. MIKE BOWERS / AFP via Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on leave for five days as he celebrates his honeymoon with wife Jodie Haydon after a ceremony at The Lodge in Canberra.

The couple were married on Nov. 29 in front of a select group of family and friends.

The break from his job means the prime ministerial role will be shared between Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

According to an official statement from the prime minister’s office, Albanese is on leave from Dec. 1-6.

“The prime minister will be on leave for five days from Monday, Dec. 1, 2025,” the statement reads.

“During most of this time, the deputy prime minister will be acting prime minister.”

However, Wong will have a stint as acting prime minister when Marles travels on a diplomatic mission to Papua New Guinea (PNG) from Dec. 2-3.

Marles is expected back in Australia by the afternoon of Dec. 3.

It is believed Albanese and Haydon are taking their honeymoon within Australia, and they were spotted at Sydney Airport.

Albanese made history by being the first Australian leader to wed while in office, with the couple’s dog Toto acting as ring bearer.

“We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends,” the newlyweds said in a joint statement.

A number of key Labor figures attended the ceremony, including Wong, Marles, Jim Chalmers, Tim Ayres, Tony Burke, Katy Gallagher, Mark Butler, Penny Sharpe, and Jo Haylen.

Gallagher described it as a “quite informal” and happy outdoor wedding.

Minister off to PNG

As Albanese heads off on a honeymoon and Wong fills in back home, Marles will be in Port Moresby for the inaugural Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting with PNG Minister for Defence Billy Joseph and Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Defence ministers from Australia, PNG, and Indonesia agreed to establish an annual meeting to enable closer cooperation on shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

“This meeting marks a significant step forward in our shared commitment to regional peace and security,” Marles said in a statement.

“Our trilateral partnership is built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a collective vision for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

“During the visit, I also look forward to building on the momentum of the recently signed Pukpuk Treaty—as we work together to support the growth and development of the PNG Defence Force.”