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The referral of an alleged leak of confidential correspondence between Japan’s prime ministerial office and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the AFP is a “political stunt”, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil has said, as she defended widely criticised remarks Albanese made in July about the Japanese leader.
Opposition spokesman for defence James Paterson and opposition spokesman for foreign affairs Ted O’Brien referred the alleged leak to the AFP yesterday after reports emerged of a diplomatic cable sent by the Japanese government in July which noted the “sensationalised reporting in the Australian media” of Albanese’s appearance on Nikki Osborne’s Bush Deep podcast.
Speaking to Seven’s Sunrise this morning, O’Neil said the Liberals had “absolutely lost the plot”.
“They are referring this podcast matter to the Australian Federal Police. My personal view is that the [AFP] should be allowed to focus on their job, which is keeping Australians safe and fighting crime for Australians. And I just point out to your viewers at home: you know, we’ve got people watching right now who have got big and important problems in their lives,” she said.
“They’re worried about how they’re going to pay for the next load of groceries, how they’re going to fill up the car, thinking about Medicare and the kind of education their kids are getting at school … I’d say instead of wasting police time with this silly political stunt that you’re pulling, how about coming to Canberra and actually representing the people who elected you?”
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