By Andrew Brown in Canberra
The prime minister has apologised for joking comments caught on a live mic during a global summit after they were criticised as hurting Australia’s standing on the world stage.
Anthony Albanese was recorded speaking to Energy Minister Chris Bowen while waiting for a round-table discussion to begin at the UN’s COP31 climate summit in Turkey.
“Do you keep your phone here? Don’t,” Mr Albanese said while pointing to his breast pocket ahead of an event to pitch renewable energy investment opportunities in Australia.
“I’m more conscious … I’ve stopped putting it in my pants pocket,” Mr Bowen began before Mr Albanese interrupted.
“Because of your dick,” the prime minister said.
“It’s rather important, arguably more important than the heart,” Mr Bowen replied as the pair laughed.
Speaking to reporters in Manila ahead of the ASEAN summit, a smiling prime minister said he regretted the comments and apologised for making them while downplaying their significance.
“This was a private conversation, we thought, between two friends having a bit of light-hearted banter,” he said on Sunday.
“No one was hurt or harmed, we weren’t having private banter which criticised anyone.”
The off-the-cuff conversation between the cabinet members earlier came under fire from the opposition, with frontbencher James Paterson saying the remarks were unfortunate and did not create a good impression for Australia.
“That locker-room talk like that has a time and a place and it’s not at international summits when you’re the prime minister of Australia talking to your energy minister,” he told News24.
“If you want to engage in that kind of banter, do it at a private barbecue, not before the assembled media at an international conference.
“I don’t think anyone thinks it enhances Australia’s international standing or respect for the office of the prime minister.”
Senior Labor minister Amanda Rishworth dismissed the criticism, describing it as “a private conversation in between meetings”.
“I know that a hot-mic incident is very exciting for people … but really, there are bigger issues to tackle and discuss,” she said.
While the federal government attracted criticism from the opposition over the cost to taxpayers for Australia’s attendance at the event, Ms Rishworth said the spend was worth it.
“What Australia has done, the Australian government has done, has made sure, in partnership with the Pacific, that we are at the table discussing action on climate change,” she said.
“It’s a time where we also can showcase Australian business, which is really critical, and attract investment here in Australia as well.”
News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.
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