Sydney  - News that a man tipped as a future Australian prime minister was having a lovechild with the daughter of the Queen's representative merited just a brief mention in the national press Monday.

That both are married to other people shows how accepting society has become, The Australian newspaper commented.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten left his wife for the daughter of Governor General Quentin Bryce in August.

Both former union leader Shorten and Chloe Bryce are going through divorce proceedings. (dpa)