Chris Bowen brushes off crude hot mic 'd***' exchange with Anthony Albanese - insisting it was just a 'blokey, jokey conversation'

Detailed summary

Chris Bowen has defended his crude comments which were picked up on a hot mic while speaking to Anthony Albanese.

Published: 00:18 GMT, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 00:31 GMT, 15 November 2026

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has brushed off his embarrassing hot mic exchange with Anthony Albanese at COP31 as a 'blokey, jokey conversation'.

Speaking to The Australian on Saturday, Bowen said the conversation was nothing more than a light-hearted private discussion inadvertently broadcast.

He acknowledged the language was unusual for ministers speaking publicly but argued the word was commonly used in everyday conversation.

'We used a word that ministers would not normally use in public,' he said.

'And what's not a joke is climate change, and that's what I'm completely focused on this week.'

The awkward exchange occurred on Friday when Albanese placed his phone in the breast pocket of his suit jacket, gesturing to the pocket over his heart.

Bowen (right) the conversation was nothing more than a light-hearted private discussion

Bowen explained he had changed his habits regarding where he carried his phone.

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