Shocking video has emerged of the moment Anthony Albanese allegedly told an organizer of an anti-domestic violence rally: “I’m the Prime Minister” before bursting into tears.
The Prime Minister’s titled act was caught on camera at a rally held outside Parliament in Canberra on Sunday.
Footage broadcast on ABC’s Afternoon Briefings showed the visibly irritated Prime Minister asking protest organizer Sarah Williams: “Do you want me to talk or not?” moments before addressing the audience in a fiery speech.
Albanese appeared to shrug his shoulders during the tense exchange with Williams, who had asked the crowd if they wanted the prime minister to speak.
Anthony Albanese (pictured centre) was captured saying “I’m the Prime Minister” in a tense exchange with anti-domestic violence rally organizer Sarah Williams (pictured right) on Sunday.
He could be heard saying: “I’m the Prime Minister!”
There are unverified reports that he later said, “I run this country.”
After he appeared to deliver the terse words, he stood up and spoke to the crowd as Williams handed him the microphone.
Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth also attended the rally and stood alongside Albanese as he addressed the large crowd.
He rose to speak after Williams told the crowd that he was invited to make comments at the rally but “we didn’t get any,” he said. Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Television cameras recorded Mr Albanese saying: “No, you haven’t,” before taking the microphone in an attempt to set the record straight.
‘(We) were told that that was not possible and that’s fine. I respect the right of the organizers to do that,” he told the crowd as they booed and booed him.
“We asked to talk, Katy (Gallagher) and I, and they told us that was not possible.
“And that’s okay, we respect the organizers’ right to do so.”
The accusation prompted Ms Williams to say “that’s a lie, that’s a total lie” and then burst into tears.
Albanese (pictured) claimed event organizers banned him from speaking at the rally, which Ms Williams (pictured right) said was a lie.
The rally was organized by What Were You Wearing Australia, an organization that campaigns against domestic and sexual violence.
Albanese refused to answer whether the words “I’m the prime minister, I run this country” came out of his mouth when questioned about his comments on Monday morning breakfast television.
Sunrise presenter Nat Barr asked the Prime Minister if he had uttered those words, prompting Mr Albanese to deviate from his response to the direct question.
‘Well, Nat, people, including Channel Seven, were there to record everything that happened. So you were all there,” she said.
‘So the media was everywhere. They listened to everything that was said there. The problem here is that every four days, on average, a woman dies at the hands of her partner.’
When Barr’s co-host Matt Shirvington asked him if he regretted making the comments, Albanese referred to the seriousness of domestic violence incidents.
‘Well, you have the images. Yesterday there were television cameras and microphones everywhere. And this should not distract us from what is truly a very serious matter,” she stated.
Ms Williams (pictured), an advocate against domestic and sexual violence, broke down in tears as the Prime Minister spoke to the crowd.
Williams doubled down on her comments, taking to Instagram on Sunday to claim that Albanese told organizers she did not want to speak at the rally.
“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. I and WWYW (What Were Your Wearing Australia) never denied him the opportunity to speak. He never asked to talk.’
Williams doubled down on his criticism on Monday when he appeared on several television shows and took to social media to claim he heard Mr Albanese say: “I’m the prime minister.” I run this country.’
Ms Gallagher told ABC RN’s breakfast on Monday that no formal invitation had been extended to the Government to speak at the rally, but said she wanted to speak.
“It was a rally in my hometown and I thought it was appropriate, but there were some concerns about the five key demands that were sought at that rally and the commitment they were seeking from us,” he said.
Williams previously asked Albanese and Gallagher if they would agree with the organization’s demands to address domestic violence.
These included declaring domestic violence a national emergency, preventing media outlets from publishing images of victims for 48 hours, mandatory training to prevent victim blaming, alternative reporting options for victims, and increased funding.
Albanese (pictured) has been branded a liar over comments he made at the weekend rally and refused to answer questions about the comments when asked on Monday’s breakfast television.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted Ms Albanese for further comment.
Williams has yet to receive an apology from Albanese or Gallagher 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.”
