Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been slammed for recording a supportive video for Ukraine while almost completely covering the Australian flag.
The message featured Mr Albanese extending Australia’s condolences for the Ukrainian lives lost during the conflict on the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion on Saturday.
The PM delivered the message directly in front of the Australian flag while the Indigenous and Torres Straight Islander flags were draped on either side.
While the flags were positioned correctly according to National Flag protocols, Mr Albanese copped flak for not clearly showing the flag of the nation he’s representing.
Among those criticising the video was 2GB host Ben Fordham who said it looked like a ‘game of hide and seek with the Aussie flag’.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been slammed for almost completely covering the Australian flag during an international message of support for Ukraine (pictured)
‘Someone in the PM’s office needs to remember that he is the Australian Prime Minister and when he’s delivering international messages we don’t need all the other flags,’ he said on Monday.
‘I’m not suggesting you need six or seven or eight flags there Albo, but at least show one clearly displaying the country you’re representing.
‘I know it’s not the biggest issue in the world, but when you’re recording an international video message that’s being seen around the world can you let people know where it’s coming from.’
Social media users joined the pile-on condemning the PM.
‘He’s an absolute disgrace, the Australian flag should be front and centre of all press conferences he gives!’ one wrote.
A second added: ‘Disgraceful.’
‘A total embarrassment to Australia and all Australians,’ a third said.
In the video, the Prime Minister honoured the ‘immense courage of the Ukrainian people’ during the two-year-long conflict that has killed about 70,000 Ukrainians, of which 31,000 were soldiers.
Mr Albanese took aim at Russian forces condemning the ‘full-scale, brutal invasion and unrelenting attacks, including on civilians and infrastructure’.
‘Australia is supporting Ukraine with $960million in military and humanitarian assistance,’ he said.
‘Australia stands in solidarity with our international partners and the people of Ukraine.’
Mr Albanese concluded the message by proclaiming ‘slava Ukraini’, a chant meaning ‘glory to Ukraine’.
Mr Fordham told listeners on Monday that the Prime Minister needed to take more pride in the National Flag during an internationally-viewed message.
The video was posted on the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, with Mr Albanese (pictured with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) sending condolences on behalf of Aussies
Opposition leader Peter Dutton also appeared in the video, but with the Australian and Ukrainian flags hung on either side of him (pictured)
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s message also featured in the video but with an Australian and Ukrainian flag behind either shoulder without either the Indigenous or Torres Straight Islander flag.
‘On the 24th of February 2022 the Ukrainians made a decision, not a white flag but a blue and yellow flag,’ Mr Dutton said.
‘It’s not enough to say we stand with Ukraine through our words, we must show we stand with Ukraine through our deeds.’
In the lead-up to the war’s second anniversary, the Albanese Government announced they would be sending extra $50million would be sent to Ukraine in order to procure weaponry.
Replying to a post on X by Mr Albanese honouring Ukraine’s war efforts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for Australia’s support during the conflict.
‘We value our partnership with Australia and all of your assistance since the outbreak of full-scale war,’ President Zelenskyy wrote.
‘We are grateful to have found such a close and committed friend in Australia, with whom geographical distance does not matter.’
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