‘Do you want me to speak or not?’: Albanese’s remarks at ‘No More’ anti-violence rally in Canberra emerge

Anthony Albanese has been criticised for his “tone deaf” remarks at an anti-violence rally, while the Prime Minister has refused to weigh in on accusations he lied to the crowd.

Anthony Albanese has been criticised for his “tone deaf” remarks at an anti-violence rally, while the Prime Minister has refused to weigh in on accusations he lied to the crowd.

Organiser of the “No More” rallies and founder of community organisation What Were You Wearing, Sarah Williams accused the PM of “aggressively” telling her “I’m the Prime Minister of the country, I run this country” when she was deliberating allowing him to address the 5000-strong crowd on the lawns outside Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday.

Video of the exchange emerged on Monday night showing Mr Albanese saying to Ms Williams “do you want me to speak or not? I’m the Prime Minister”.

Moments later Ms Williams asked the crowd “speaking or not speaking?” and a majority of voices can be heard yelling for the PM to speak.

In the wake of the rally Ms Williams had also rejected Mr Albanese’s claim he had offered to speak at the event, but had been told that was not possible.

Asked about the incident Mr Albanese said “it was an emotional day” for people, and would not get into a back and forth “debate” about the alleged exchange.

“People … were there for the recording of everything that went on,” he said.

No More rally organiser Sarah Williams (R) with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the No More rally in Canberrra on Sunday.

The PM’s office declined to provide further clarity, while Ms Williams has maintained she never barred Mr Albanese from speaking.

She said Mr Albanese’s suggestion he was not originally permitted to speak was “really upsetting” and traumatic.

#BREAKING 🚨 Video just published by the ABC shows Anthony Albanese telling Sarah Williams:

“Do you want me to speak or not? I’m the Prime Minister.”#6NewsAU | https://t.co/eU0kSSqP9Epic.twitter.com/prHAdnOSNa

— 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) April 29, 2024

Mr Albanese said he would have been happy speaking or not, noting the rally was about a call to action for governments, including his own, to do more.

Multiple sources familiar with the discussion between the government and rally organisers in the lead up to the rally said there had been significant debate about what degree of participation was appropriate for the PM given the rally was supposed to be focused on victim survivors.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the rally. NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Labor sources said offers were made to have Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher speak as a local member with a relevant portfolio, noting that the PM was always happy to address the crowd if wanted.

One Labor MP who was not at the event said they believed the PM did not want to pile on with further commentary given there were clearly “crossed wires” about what had been discussed before the event.

But Nationals Leader David Littleproud said Mr Albanese’s comments at the rally were “tone deaf,” regardless of whether he had been asked to speak or not.

“That’s not the point to make at a rally when it was about a young lady, Sarah Williams, who had the courage of her own convictions to come forward and organise that rally,” he said.

Coalition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said Mr Albanese had failed to “read the room”.