New footage has emerged of Anthony Albanese asking to speak at an anti-violence protest in Canberra, sparking heated debate among Australians after the organizer accused him of lying.
Thousands of people attended the protest organized by anti-violence charity What Were You Wearing to demand concrete action to break the cycle of violence that has claimed the lives of at least 26 women so far in 2024.
Albanese initially told the crowd that he had been asked not to speak, prompting rally organizer Sarah Williams to say it was “a blatant lie” and begin to cry.
But in a longer video of the incident that was taken before Albanese addressed the crowd, Williams can be heard explaining his reasons for not wanting politicians, including the Prime Minister, to address the crowd.
“Actually, to be honest, I don’t want anyone to talk, because I don’t think they should be given the microphone,” she is heard saying, as Mr Albanese stood nearby.
‘I think it’s going to be Sarah’s shit show… and I’m going to become the next Brittany Higgins!’ she declares.
He then said he was “happy” that members of his team listened to what the Prime Minister had to say.
“I’m happy that my team at What Were You Wear will be able to speak to the ministers, hear what they have to say and then we will consider the decision for them to speak for about ten minutes.”
Australians are divided over Anthony Albanese’s widely criticized intervention after new footage shows the organizer initially saying she did not want him to speak.
At that moment Mr. Albanese declares: “Do you want me to talk or not?” I am the Prime Minister.’
Ms. Williams, looking directly at Mr. Albanese, responds: “But I am not experiencing any attack on myself or the organization.”
“To speak or not to speak,” he asks the crowd, which seems to respond overwhelmingly in favor of Albanese speaking.
After he appeared to say the terse words, he began speaking to the crowd after Williams handed him the microphone.
The longer footage has divided Australians, with many siding with the prime minister.
“I’m not a big fan of Albo, but from this video, to me, it seems really evident that Albo was there with the expectation that I would NOT talk,” they wrote.
“To me, it implies that he had been told that the organizers did not want him to speak, and then when asked, he seemed confused.”
Another said: “Albo is guilty of nothing more than a poorly worded confirmation that the organizer wants him to speak.”
Many criticized Ms Williams and the other organisers, accusing them of “handling it poorly”.
Ms Williams (pictured), an advocate against domestic and sexual violence, broke down in tears as the Prime Minister spoke to the crowd.
Many observers on social media criticized Ms Williams (pictured left) and the other organisers, accusing them of “handling it poorly”.
Anthony Albanese (third from left) was captured saying: “I’m the Prime Minister,” in a tense exchange with anti-domestic violence rally organizer Sarah Williams (far right, in high visibility) on Sunday.
“The focus, instead of focusing on what needs to be done to solve the problem of men’s violence against women, is now on uncovering the storm of where the Prime Minister is being accused of lying (he didn’t),” he wrote. one.
However, not everyone was convinced that Albanese was safe.
“He was still talking about her from a position of power and pretending she wasn’t there while trying to make his point.”
Williams doubled down on his comments on Sunday.
“The Prime Minister of this country lied to his country today,” he wrote.
‘Albanese’s office made it clear that he was simply walking around and was not interested in talking. WWYW and I never denied him speaking. He never asked to talk.’
Williams also claimed he heard Mr Albanese say: “I’m the Prime Minister.” I run this country.’
Williams said he has yet to receive an apology from Albanese for causing him distress at the rally.
She wants to see more consultation between the government and advocacy groups on what is needed to tackle domestic violence.
“If he thinks I’ve done a good job, why hasn’t he reached out, why don’t we meet soon, why don’t I meet with an advisor?” Mrs. Williams said.
“It would be good to have an answer from him to find out what happened, to see if we can make changes, because the priority is to solve violence against women.”
WhatsNew2Day Australia previously contacted Albanese for further comment.
Albanese (pictured) has been branded a liar for comments he made at the weekend rally and refused to answer questions about them when asked on Breakfast TV on Monday.
