Source : Perth Now news
A moment of “locker room” banter captured on a hot mic at a global climate summit has been criticised as hurting the prime minister’s global standing.
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.
The off-the-cuff conversation between the cabinet members has come under fire from the opposition.
Frontbencher James Paterson said the remarks were unfortunate and did not create a good impression for Australia on the world stage.
“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 on Sunday.
“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.”
But cabinet minister Amanda Rishworth dismissed the criticism.
“This is a private conversation in between meetings,” she said.
“I know that a hot-mic incident is very exciting for people … but really, there are bigger issues to tackle and discuss.
“(It’s) quite frankly a joke between two people and we shouldn’t get overexcited by it.”
Australia was leading international negotiations at the climate summit as part of a compromise deal with host Turkey.
The federal government had pushed for Adelaide to host the annual conference as part of a spotlight on the effects of climate change on Pacific nations.
While the federal government attracted criticism from the coalition 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.”
