Labor's new leader Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to his estranged wife as he was elected unopposed to replace Bill Shorten.
The Left faction spear-carrier is the first major party leader in 50 years to be single.
In his first media conference as Labor leader, he paid tribute to his estranged wife Carmel Tebbutt, a former deputy premier of New South Wales, who is the mother of his 18-year-old son Nathan.
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In his first media conference as Labor leader, Anthony Albanese (pictured right) paid tribute to his estranged wife Carmel Tebbutt (left), a former deputy premier of New South Wales, who is the mother of his 18-year-old son Nathan
'To my partner of 30 years, Carmel, I thank you for your love, your support and your advice over all of those years,' he told reporters on Monday.
'Our relationship has changed, but I have nothing but best wishes for her future.
'We have raised a wonderful young son in Nathan.
'He is now studying business at university. We couldn't be more proud.'
Anthony Albanese, the son of an invalid pensioner who grew up in housing commission in Sydney's inner-west, met his former partner in Young Labor during the late 1980s.
Four months after they separated, he became the first federal Opposition Leader to be elected unopposed since Kim Beazley succeeded Mark Latham in January 2005.
Mr Albanese is the first major party leader in Australia to be single since Country Party leader John McEwen, a widower, briefly served as prime minister in December 1967 and January 1968.
Anthony Albanese has been confirmed as Labor's new leader after his potential rivals withdrew from the race to succeed Bill Shorten
The 56-year-old former deputy prime minister released a statement on Monday morning confirming his new role.
'Honoured to be elected 21st Leader of the Australian Labor Party,' he said on Facebook.
'Thank you to members of caucus, rank and file members and affiliates for your support.
'Together we can return
