As election endorsements go, it was of the exotic variety.
So-called "Tiger King" Joe Exotic has come out in support of Anthony Albanese on social media just days before Australians go to the polls.
"Keep Australia safe and awesome. All my friends in Australia vote for @albomp," he wrote on Instagram.
The American became an internet phenomenon after his Netflix documentary was released around the time of the first COVID lockdowns in March 2020.
He is serving a 21-year prison sentence for the attempted murder of industry rival Carole Baskin.
During an appearance at the National Press Club on Wednesday, the prime minister played down the unlikely backing.
"It's good to see some levity," he said.
"I have a very passionate support for one particular animal (his pet dog) Toto, and I'm looking forward to voting with her on Saturday."
Mr Albanese leaned into Labor's strengths during the speech, speaking about bolstering Medicare and slashing student debt.
But asked about his government's defence strategic plan, he pulled from lesser-known parts of Labor's history.
"You don't need a refresh to tell any Labor prime minister - from the party of John Curtin - that we need to defend ourselves," he said.
"It was a Labor prime minister who understood that kowtowing to the UK - as it was then - wasn't going to defend Australia."
Mr Curtin led Australia during the latter half of World War II and has been viewed as one of the nation's greatest leaders.
And in his answer, Mr Albanese compared his campaign to that of the Labor luminary, allowing him to portray a sense of strength and try combat perceptions of weakness on defence.
"I'm very proud to be part of the same party that defended Australia," he said.
"The (then) conservative government toppled out of office because people thought they needed the national interest defended. It was Labor who did it then and it's Labor who will do it now."
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles were among Labor heavyweights present for the speech, alongside Mr Albanese's fiancee Jodie Haydon.
But the prime minister's time in Canberra did not last long.
As soon as questions wrapped up, Mr Albanese was whisked away as he tries to make a marathon six-state trip in the last four days of the campaign.
