Anthony Albanese leaves Secret Service ‘taking deep breaths’ after ditching motorcade during New York security scare

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked he left US Secret Service agents ‘taking a few deep breaths’ after abandoning his motorcade and walking to a Manhattan event, as heightened security and a suspicious package scare snarled traffic across New York.

Speaking at a Macquarie Bank event on Tuesday local time, Albanese opened by explaining his late arrival.

‘I apologise for the fact that we were stuck in traffic for a long period of time and ended up jumping out,’ he said.

‘I thank the Secret Service for the remarkable tolerance of Australians saying, ‘We’re going to get out of the car. We’re going to walk.”

‘They seemed to deal with that okay, once they took in a few deep breaths.’

Albanese also drew attention after taking to X to share a selfie with US President Donald Trump along with the caption: ‘Always good to catch up with @POTUS.’ 

A government official said the interaction was warm and positive, despite Trump moments earlier taking a swipe at Albanese’s efforts to introduce a digital duty of care. 

Albanese’s remarks about US Secret agents came as New York’s security network was under intense strain during the United Nations General Assembly.

Nearly 130 world leaders are attending the high-level event, with the US Secret Service, NYPD and other agencies coordinating one of the year’s largest security operations.

Adding to the disruption, police responded to a suspicious package at East 43rd Street and Third Avenue, just blocks from the UN headquarters.

The incident sparked building evacuations and road closures, with authorities shutting 42nd Street through 44th Street between Second and Lexington Avenues.

The Macquarie Bank event where Albanese spoke was about 1.5 kilometres away.

The NYPD initially urged the public to steer clear of the area.

‘Due to police activity, please avoid the area around 43rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Expect road closures and delays,’ the department posted.

Police later expanded the exclusion zone, stating: ‘Due to a suspicious package, 42nd Street through 44th Street is closed between 2nd Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Please avoid the area.’

It is understood officers were investigating an unattended suitcase. Specialist units were deployed while nearby buildings were cleared and streets were cordoned off.

The scare unfolded in Midtown as thousands of diplomats, security personnel and support staff moved through the city for the annual gathering of world leaders.

Authorities later announced the package posed no threat.

‘The package has been cleared and deemed to not be suspicious. 43rd Street between 3rd Avenue and Lexington Avenue remains closed,’ the NYPD said.

No injuries were reported, and police have not released further details about the package.

After the Macquarie Bank event, Albanese was scheduled to attend a function hosted by US President Donald Trump, capping another day of high-level diplomacy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The engagement came after Trump used his UN address to criticise efforts to regulate artificial intelligence, while the White House has also taken aim at the Australian Government’s proposed digital duty of care laws.

Asked about Trump’s speech, Albanese defended the government’s approach to online regulation, saying he was ‘proud’ Australia was leading a broader international push to improve safety on digital platforms.

‘And the fact that the European Union have now announced major reform as well, joining the more than 20 countries who’ve taken action,’ he said.

Albanese is expected to raise Australia’s priorities on emerging technologies and online safety when he addresses the UN General Assembly later this week.