Anthony Albanese cracked a joke at a high-powered black-tie dinner. It went down like a lead balloon: 'Disgusted to the core'

Anthony Albanese cracked a joke at a high-powered black-tie dinner. It went down like a lead balloon: 'Disgusted to the core' The PM made an awkward comment about live exports He was addressing a gala in Canberra with 600 farmers By Charlotte Karp For Daily Mail Australia Published: 03:37 BST, 21 August 2024 | Updated: 03:37 BST, 21 August 2024 e-mail View comments Farmers have been left 'disgusted to the core' after Anthony Albanese appeared to crack a joke about eating live exports at an agriculture awards dinner. The Prime Minister made the bizarre comment while addressing about 600 people at the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award gala at Parliament House on Tuesday night.

Referring to a meal he shared with the Indonesian President-elect Prabowo, Mr Albanese said: 'We had dinner, beautiful Australian beef - not the live export, we made sure it was dead'. Earlier this year, Labor announced live sheep exports would be phased out over a four-year period, with a total end to them by May 2028. The decision was widely criticised by farmers who said the ban would decimate their businesses.

One gala guest said on X there was an 'audible murmur of discontent in the room' when Mr Albanese cracked the joke. On Wednesday, Nationals leader David Littleproud said he was contacted by farmers who saw the comment as mocking their industry. Pictured: Farmers and agricultural workers who attended the dinner on Tuesday night Read More EXCLUSIVE The Flying Kanga-RORT - why you're footing the bill.