Albanese apologises for private joke caught on hot mic at climate summit
Prime Minister Albanese apologised after a private joke was caught on tape at a UN climate summit.
Reported by The Guardian
ShareWhy it matters
A Prime Minister's words and conduct at major international meetings shape how Australia is seen on the world stage by other leaders and nations.
In Australia. The incident affects Australia's diplomatic reputation at a time when Albanese is holding key meetings with the US president and other regional leaders in the Philippines.
Key facts
- Cop31 in Antalya
- Summit location
- Friday
- Date of conversation
- HMAS Stalwart in the Philippines
- Apology issued from
- Albanese and climate change minister Chris Bowen were caught on camera at the Cop31 climate summit in Antalya on Friday.
- Albanese and Bowen were discussing where to keep mobile phones before a meeting.
- Albanese joked that Bowen should keep his phone away from his heart because it can interfere with heart rhythm.
- Bowen asked if phones were radioactive.
- Albanese agreed.
- On Sunday, from the Philippines, Albanese called it light-hearted banter between friends and said he regretted the overheard remarks.
- Employment minister Amanda Rishworth defended the comment as a private joke.
- Coalition frontbencher James Paterson said such talk has no place at international summits.
