Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked that he left U.S. Secret Service agents "taking a few deep breaths" after he abandoned his motorcade and walked to a Manhattan event. The incident occurred during a period of heightened security and a suspicious package scare that snarled traffic across New York City.
Speaking at a Macquarie Bank event on Tuesday, Albanese explained his delayed arrival. "I apologise for the fact that we were stuck in traffic for a long period of time and ended up jumping out," he said. "I thank the Secret Service for the remarkable tolerance of Australians saying, 'We're going to get out of the car. We're going to walk.' They seemed to deal with that okay, once they took in a few deep breaths."
His remarks came as New York's security apparatus was under significant strain due to the United Nations General Assembly, with nearly 130 world leaders attending the high-level event. The U.S. Secret Service, NYPD, and other agencies were coordinating one of the year's largest security operations.
Adding to the disruptions, police responded to a suspicious package at East 43rd Street and Third Avenue, just blocks from the UN headquarters. The incident prompted building evacuations and road closures, with authorities shutting down 42nd Street through 44th Street between Second and Lexington Avenues. The Macquarie Bank event where Albanese spoke was approximately 1.5 kilometers away.
The NYPD initially advised the public to avoid the area, posting, "Due to police activity, please avoid the area around 43rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Expect road closures and delays." The department later expanded the exclusion zone, stating, "Due to a suspicious package, 42nd Street through 44th Street is closed between 2nd Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Please avoid the area."
Reports indicated that officers were investigating an unattended suitcase. Specialist units were deployed, and nearby buildings were evacuated while streets were cordoned off. This scare unfolded in Midtown as thousands of diplomats, security personnel, and support staff navigated the city for the annual gathering of world leaders.
Authorities later announced that the package posed no threat. "The package has been cleared and deemed to not be suspicious. 43rd Street between 3rd Avenue and Lexington Avenue remains closed," the NYPD said. No injuries were reported, and further details about the package were not immediately released.
Following the Macquarie Bank event, Albanese was scheduled to attend a function hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, concluding a day of high-level diplomacy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. This engagement followed Trump's UN address, where he criticized efforts to regulate artificial intelligence. The White House had also previously expressed concerns about the Australian Government's proposed digital duty of care laws.
When asked about Trump's speech, Albanese defended Australia's approach to online regulation, expressing pride that the country was leading an international push to improve safety on digital platforms. "And the fact that the European Union have now announced major reform as well, joining the more than 20 countries who've taken action," he added.
Albanese is expected to address the UN General Assembly later this week, where he plans to raise Australia's priorities concerning emerging technologies and online safety.