Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded after he was caught in a tense moment on microphone when he joked with a senior US diplomat about a “half toll” for a recently unveiled $400 million police partnership with Pacific countries.
The Pacific Policing Initiative, an Australian-funded policing plan to be rolled out over the next five years, was endorsed on Wednesday by Pacific leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum.
Key elements of the initiative include multi-country police units, four training centres in the region and a coordination centre in Brisbane.
Mr. Albanese spoke casually with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell during the PIF, giving him a rare behind-the-scenes look at international diplomacy.
“Well, we did a great job today in getting the Pacific Policing Initiative through,” the prime minister said.
“It’s so important. It’s going to make such a difference.”
Mr Campbell, a senior official in the Biden administration, praised the PPI, calling it “fantastic” and “great”.
“I spoke to Kevin about it,” he said, referring to Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd.
The Australian Prime Minister was speaking casually to US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell (pictured) on the sidelines of the PIF when he made the comments, providing a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into international diplomacy
The Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), an Australian-funded policing plan to be rolled out over the next five years, was approved on Wednesday by Pacific leaders attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum
“So you know we were going to do something (but) he asked us not to do it, so we didn’t do it.
“We gave you the job. So take the job.”
“If you want, you can give us half the price,” Albanese joked, laughing and patting the American official on the shoulder, causing him to chuckle.
“It’ll only cost you… a little,” he added.
The video was recorded by New Zealand journalist Lydia Lewis and posted on social media.
At the end of the footage, Pacific Minister Pat Conroy reprimanded the journalist for filming the exchange, saying, “Oh! Come on, Lydia.”
On Thursday morning, Mr Albanese accused the New Zealand journalist of being unethical and filming him without his consent.
“It was a private conversation, a happy, friendly conversation,” said Albanese, who described Campbell as “a buddy of mine.”
“The video is what it is: it’s up to whoever made it to think about their own ethics when it comes to journalism.”
He added: “If I were a journalist, I wouldn’t do that myself, and I know most of you wouldn’t either.”
RNZ’s chief news officer Mark Stevens told Daily Mail Australia the company “stands behind its reporter and his reporting”.
“After speaking with our reporter, I can say there is no indication that they acted unethically or that they violated our strict editorial rules,” Mr. Stevens said.
Pacific leaders have hailed the PPI as a sign of unity and shared responsibility. It is a major strategic win for Canberra as it helps to channel China’s growing assertiveness in the region.