Australian politicians from across the political spectrum have defended ABC journalist John Lyons after US President Donald Trump berated him during a press conference on the White House lawn. Trump accused Lyons of 'hurting Australia' by asking about his personal business dealings while in office.
The exchange occurred when Lyons, the ABC's Americas editor, asked Trump how much wealthier he had become since returning to the Oval Office and whether it was appropriate for a president to conduct personal business while in office. Trump responded by saying his children run the Trump Organization and then criticised Lyons, threatening to report him to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Lyons was 'just doing his job', while independent senator David Pocock called for stronger press freedom defences. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young accused Trump of bullying, and Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie defended tough questioning. However, Liberal senator Sarah Henderson called on the ABC to explain the line of questioning given the importance of the Australia-US relationship.
Lyons described his questions as 'perfectly normal' and based on research, saying it would be 'a very dark day' if such questions prevented access to the White House. The incident also saw Trump confirm his first face-to-face meeting with Albanese during the prime minister's visit to the UN general assembly next week.
The meeting is expected to cover urgent bilateral issues, including the Pentagon's review of the Aukus nuclear submarines agreement and US demands for Australia to increase defence spending to as much as 3.5% of GDP.
