Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked that he left US Secret Service agents “taking a few deep breaths” after abandoning his motorcade and walking to an event in Manhattan, where heightened security and a suspicious-package scare caused widespread traffic disruption.
Speaking at a Macquarie Bank event on Tuesday local time, Mr Albanese began by explaining why he had arrived late.
“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 comments came as New York’s security operations faced intense pressure during the United Nations General Assembly.
Almost 130 world leaders are attending the high-level gathering, prompting the US Secret Service, NYPD and other agencies to coordinate one of the largest security operations of the year.
The disruption was compounded by a police response to a suspicious package at East 43rd Street and Third Avenue, only a few blocks from the UN headquarters.
Albanese revealed his delegation got out of their cars and walked (pictured in 2025)
The incident led to building evacuations and road closures, with authorities shutting 42nd Street through 44th Street between Second and Lexington Avenues.
The Macquarie Bank event attended by Albanese was about 1.5 kilometres from the affected area.
The NYPD initially asked members of the public to avoid the vicinity.
“Due to police activity, please avoid the area around 43rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Expect road closures and delays,” the department posted.
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Police later widened the exclusion zone, saying: “Due to a suspicious package, 42nd Street through 44th Street is closed between 2nd Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Please avoid the area.”
Officers were understood to be examining an unattended suitcase. Specialist units were sent to the scene as nearby buildings were evacuated and streets cordoned off.
The scare unfolded in Midtown while thousands of diplomats, security officers and support staff travelled through the city for the annual meeting of world leaders.
Authorities later confirmed that the package posed no threat.
The NYPD bomb squad was called in after a “suspicious package” was found in New York City
Anthony Albanese (pictured) is expected to address the United Nations Assembly this week
“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 police have not released further details about the package.
After the Macquarie Bank event, Albanese was scheduled to attend a function hosted by US President Donald Trump, capping another day of high-level diplomacy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The engagement came after Trump used his UN address to criticise efforts to regulate artificial intelligence, while the White House has also taken aim at the Australian Government’s proposed digital duty of care laws.
Asked about Trump’s speech, Albanese defended the government’s approach to online regulation, saying he was ‘proud’ Australia was leading a broader 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 said.
Albanese is expected to raise Australia’s priorities on emerging technologies and online safety when he addresses the UN General Assembly later this week.