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

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese have brushed off an embarrassing hot mic exchange as ‘banter’ and 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.

‘Anthony and I are good friends,’ Bowen said.

Albanese similarly defended the comments as ‘light-hearted banter’ on the sidelines of defence discussions in Manila on Sunday.

‘I, of course, regret that and I apologise,’ he said.

‘This was a private conversation. We thought between two friends having a bit of light-hearted banter.

‘You know that happens and no one was hurt or harmed.’ 

Bowen earlier conceded 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.

‘But it’s probably used pretty broadly in the Australian community.

‘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.

He asked Bowen: ‘Do you keep your phone here?’ 

‘Generally, yeah,’ Bowen replied.

‘Don’t,’ Albanese responded.

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

‘I’m more conscious of it. I stopped putting it in my pants pocket,’ he said.

Albanese then asked: ‘Because of your d***?’

‘Because of my d***. That’s rather important… arguably more important than the heart,’ Bowen responded, prompting laughter from both men.

The comments were made while other delegates were present.

Environment Minister Murray Watt had also dismissed the controversy, arguing critics were overreacting to what was clearly a joke.

‘This is really just about people having a joke,’ Watt said.

‘I know there’s been a lot of criticism from some quarters about every aspect of this COP, but the reality is participating in and in fact leading the discussions at COP is in Australia’s national interest.’

NSW Premier Chris Minns played down the incident when questioned by reporters.

‘I just don’t think it’s the end of the world,’ Minns said.

The hot mic controversy is the latest distraction to emerge from COP31, the United Nations’ annual climate conference, which has brought together representatives from more than 190 countries in Antalya to negotiate global action on climate change.

It follows a separate political row over the Australian government’s decision to provide free coffee at its national pavilion, after it was revealed taxpayers would cover a $32,100 bill for the service.

The coffee stand has become one of the busiest attractions at the summit, with delegates reportedly waiting up to 45 minutes for a cup and an estimated 1,800 coffees served since Monday, about 80 drinks an hour.

The Coalition has seized on the expense as an example of wasteful spending, accusing the Albanese government of using taxpayer funds to subsidise coffee for summit delegates. 

Bowen has strongly defended the expenditure, arguing Australia’s pavilion plays an important role in advancing the nation’s interests and accusing Opposition Leader Angus Taylor of political hypocrisy.

‘Does he want one lump of hypocrisy or two with his coffee?’ Bowen told the ABC.

‘My job is to steer consensus to the most ambitious outcome that consensus will allow.’