Penny Wong has purchased a grand property worth $3.4million in one of Adelaide’s most prestigious suburbs.
2GB host Ben Fordham shared news of her purchase on Friday morning, just weeks after Anthony Albanese snapped up a $4.3 million clifftop property on NSW’s Central Coast featuring stunning views of the ocean.
The move sparked debate on social media, with a number of Aussies pointing out the PM was buying his luxury digs during a severe housing shortage, with rents soaring and high interest rates hurting many mortgage holders.
Senator Wong’s new property includes a grand entrance, swimming pool, and formal dining room, situated on a 1,350sqm lot shrouded by extensive gardens.
‘Guests are ushered into the home via a broad and stately corridor, the soaring 3.69m ceiling heights signalling the grandeur which is to follow throughout,’ the real estate listing said.
The home also features a cellar room, large open plan kitchen and a formal dining room.
Senator Wong’s office confirmed she had purchased the property with her wife Sophie Allouache.
‘Minister Wong and her wife have purchased a new family home. They are preparing to sell their current property and that of the minister’s mother, who passed away earlier this year.’
Penny Wong, married her long-time partner Sophie Allouache in her home state of South Australia in March
Penny Wong has purchased a grand property (pictured) in one of Adelaide’s most prestigious suburbs
Ms Wong, 55, has been in a relationship with Ms Allouache, a public servant, since 2006, and the happy couple married in March of this year.
A former University of Adelaide Students’ Association president, Ms Allouache is seven years younger than her wife.
She works as a manager for South Australia’s Health & Department of Human Services and has expertise in early childhood health and mental health issues, including eating disorders.
In December 2011, she gave birth to the couple’s first child Alexandra who was conceived through IVF.
Ms Allouache gave birth to the couple’s second daughter Hannah in 2015.
Their wedding celebrations featured a traditional lion dance, honouring Ms Wong’s Malaysian-Chinese heritage.
Ms Wong was born in Malaysia, where she spent the first eight years of her life.
The home also features a cellar room, large open plan kitchen and a formal dining room (pictured)
Francis Wong, her Malaysian father, met her Australian mother, Jane Chapman, while studying architecture at Adelaide University.
The senator and Ms Allouache famously like to keep their lives private.
Ms Wong condemned the toxic debate surrounding the 2017 plebiscite on whether Australia should allow same-sex unions – held under Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull – as an ‘expensive stunt’.
But when Australians voted overwhelmingly to approve gay marriage she wept with joy.
‘I hope that everyone in this parliament has heard the resounding voice of the Australian people today, a mandate for change, a mandate for equality,’ she said.
‘Because it is time. Thank you for standing up for fairness, thank you for standing up for equality. Thank you for standing up for our families.’
Ms Wong burst into tears of joy and relief on live television, then went to phone Ms Allouache.
When asked if she would be making wedding plans, Ms Wong replied: ‘I think that’s something she and I can discuss in private’.
