Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken sides on a controversial Aussie beach trend that has erupted over the summer holidays.

CoolCabanas tents have already been causing division for blocking the view of lifesavers, taking up too much space on the sand and creating tent cities.

But now beachgoers are annoyed at people erecting their printed gazebos on the beach early to claim a spot – and then going away to return later.

The issue has exploded on social media with people calling for something to be done about the “unchecked” CoolCabanas culture.

Albanese was asked for his opinion on the Today show on Tuesday morning.

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“Prime Minister, you are the leader of the nation and I want to ask you this very, very important question,’’ said host Alex Cullen.

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“There’s been fierce online debate about beachgoers arriving at the beach early and using their cabanas to reserve their spots.

“So, essentially setting up the cabana, going away, leaving the beach and then coming back and coming back later in the day.

“So, you’re reserving your spot, basically. Where do you sit, Prime Minister, on this burning question that is today dividing the nation?”

Albanese responded: “Well, that’s not on.”

“One of the great things about Australia, unlike some parts of the world, you go and you got to pay to go to the beach.

“Here, everyone owns the beach. Everyone.

“And it’s a place where every Australian is equal. And that’s a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.”

CoolCabanas tents have taken over Aussie beaches during the summer in recent years and triggered debate.

In a country with the world’s highest rate of skin cancers and melanoma they offer sun protection and shade from the heat.

However, they have also divided Australians who now have to battle for their small piece of real estate on a day out by the sea.

Depending on the angle of the sun, the shade may not even be under the tent but alongside or behind it, meaning one family can take up twice as much room.

The idea for CoolCabanas came to architect Mark Fraser while holidaying with his wife and children at Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2014.

He observed people struggling to put up umbrellas and came up with a simple and lightweight design that takes barely minutes to erect, without the need for poles and pegs.