Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been caught on a hot mic jokingly telling a U.S. official they can go “halvies” with Australia on the new Pacific policing plan.
This one needs a bit of context, so let us explain…
What is the Pacific Policing Initiative?
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new Pacific Policing Initiative. This plan will see Australia provide about $400 million over five years to improve the policing capabilities of Pacific Nations and ensure there is greater ability for Australia to help in the event of emergencies.
Albanese said “the security of the entire region will be much stronger” because of this initiative.
Albanese’s hot mic moment
Then, a New Zealand journalist released a video of Albanese speaking to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, who seemed to suggest that the U.S. was also planning to pursue a similar initiative, but didn’t because “Kevin… asked us not to”.
It is widely understood that Campbell is talking about Kevin Rudd, who is Australia’s ambassador to the U.S.
Albanese responded: “We can go halvies on the cost if you like.”
What’s the concern?
There is speculation that this conversation between Albanese and Campbell could raise concerns with China, who is strategically competing with the U.S. (as two of the biggest powers in the world) to hold influence in the region.
The PM addressed the video in a press conference this morning, saying: “It was a private conversation. It was a jovial conversation, and a friendly one.”
