Australian PM caught on hot mic joking about phone placement

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 07:13 · Archive

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was recorded making a crude joke with his climate minister at a climate summit in Turkey.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was caught on a television microphone at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, on Friday making a crude joke with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen about mobile phones.

Albanese initially advised Bowen against keeping his phone in his jacket breast pocket, saying it could interfere with his heart rhythm. Bowen replied that he was more concerned about keeping his phone out of his trousers pocket. When Albanese asked if this was because of concern about his genitalia, Bowen responded that his genitals were 'rather important, arguably more important than the heart', prompting both men to laugh.

The exchange was recorded during a break at a business roundtable discussing investment in Australia's renewable energy transition. A spokesman for Albanese said the two men 'were having a joke in between meetings'. Environment Minister Murray Watt played down the incident at a press conference in Brisbane on Saturday, telling reporters it was 'really just about people having a joke'.

This is not Albanese's first embarrassment involving casual remarks. Earlier this year, he apologised after appearing on a podcast where he said he would 'shag' Australian singer Kylie Minogue during a game.

How it is being reported

• Australian PM Anthony Albanese caught on hot-mic making crude joke with minister at COP31A spokesperson for the prime minister says the two men ‘were having a joke in between meetings’Independent World · 14 Nov, 06:52
• Top politician caught on hot mic discussing dangers of keeping cellphone near his ‘d–k’Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was caught in an embarrassing hot mic gaffe yukking it up with another politician about the dangers of keeping a cell phone near his “dick.”New York Post · 13 Nov, 21:01

In this story: Anthony Albanese · Chris Bowen · Murray Watt · COP31 · Turkey · Australia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log