Labor ministers are publicly backing Anthony Albanese’s purchase of a multimillion-dollar oceanfront property, despite concern from within and the opposition blasting the timing as “tone deaf”.

The Prime Minister and his fiancée Jodie Haydon have bought the $4.3 million, four-bedroom home at Copacabana on the NSW Central Coast, ahead of their wedding.

But questions have emerged about the timing of the purchase, in the middle of a housing crisis and as the federal government looks to push affordable property measures through Parliament.

Albanese said on Tuesday he and Haydon had bought the property to be closer to her family, who are from the Central Coast.

Some Labor insiders are said to have been surprised by the purchase, according to 2GB host Ben Fordham, who broke the story on Tuesday.

“They’re angered by the PM’s decision, especially in the lead up to an election that’s going to be fought on the issue of cost of living,” Fordham said on air on Wednesday.

“The feeling inside Labor is that the PM has completely misread the room … ALP insiders are conceding this is his Hawaii moment – you know, there’s trouble in paradise.”

Asked on Wednesday if Albanese should have “workshopped the optics [of the property buy] with his colleagues”, frontbencher Chris Bowen said he didn’t talk to the PM about his personal finances – and didn’t expect that in return.

“He doesn’t come and talk to me about his, nor should he,” he told ABC radio.

“If he had, I would have said, ‘mate, you do what you think is necessary for your family’. With respect, he’s the Prime Minister. He’s also an Australian citizen, and I think the average Australian says, fair enough, leave him alone.

“We should be judged on our policies.”

Bowen said criticism of the purchase was unfair.

“He is perfectly entitled to plan a property portfolio. That’s what he’s doing, and most Australians, average Australians, will say, ‘fair enough, good on the bloke, leave him alone’,” he said.

“Anthony cops it when sells a property. He cops it when he provides a rent holiday to his tenants. He cops it when he buys a property.”

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said Albanese was entitled to make such private decisions.

“He is about to embark on a new life with his incredible fiancée,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program on Wednesday.

“This man leads an Australian government that is more bold and ambitious on addressing the housing needs in Australia than we have had in many decades.

“I understand the interest but we are trying to address the housing issue that affects millions across the country.”

Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said that while Albanese had a right to a personal life, there were concerns about the purchase coinciding with the debate on housing.

“I have a problem with the timing, and this is tone deaf during a housing crisis,” she told Sunrise.

“The Prime Minister has every right to make plans for his retirement, but I think there are plenty of Australians – and probably some of his colleagues – that would like to see it happen sooner rather than later.”

Albanese has denied the house, which is about 50 kilometres north of Sydney, was bought with an early retirement in mind.

He said his parliamentary register of interests would be updated once the sale was complete and rejected suggestions the purchase had sent the wrong signal.

“I understand that I’ve been fortunate, but I also know what it’s like to struggle,” he said on Tuesday.

“My mum lived in the one public housing flat that she was born in for all of her 65 years.

“I know what it’s like, which is why I want to help all Australians into a home, whether it be public homes or private rentals or home ownership.”

Albanese’s new house is on a clifftop at the popular Cococabana beach on the NSW Central Coast. Photo: Supplied

Nationals leader David Littleproud said Albanese had every right to set himself up for his retirement.

“I hope that, through popular demand, that in six months he gets to use it, because he will be retired by the Australian people,” he said.

“Most politicians at the end of the politics can’t afford that, in terms of the salary we have. But the Prime Minister has made smart decisions and he shouldn’t be brought down for that.”

Housing is expected to dominate the campaign for the next federal election, which must be held by May.

The government has tried to get policies through Parliament allowing first-home buyers to have a lower deposit for a property. It has been blocked in the Senate by the Coalition and the Greens.

-with AAP