Australia stunned by Annastacia Palaszczuk slap down in Tokyo

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks at a press conference at the MPC at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Australia has reacted to an unusual moment between Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and John Coates as many called out the “awkward” nature of their press conference exchange in Tokyo.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks at a press conference at the MPC at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

After Brisbane was announced as host city for the 2032 Olympics, Mr Coates told Ms Palaszczuk she – and other members of the bid delegation including Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck – would be going to the opening ceremony in Japan.

The AOC president’s directive came after Ms Palaszczuk emphatically said she would not attend the opening ceremony because of the pandemic, and would instead watch it from her hotel room.

“You are going to the opening ceremony,” Mr Coates told Ms Palaszczuk on Wednesday night.

There was an awkward moment between Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and John Coates.

Journalist Ellen Fanning added: “Watch how John Coates speaks to Qld Premier @AnnastaciaMP ..?

at a press conference on an international stage, turns mike on, arms folded, repeatedly insists she go to the Opening Ceremony despite the covid risk rather than ‘hiding in your room’.

Triple J’s Shalailah Medhora said: “Can you imagine John Coates talking to a male Premier this way.

Mr Coates was standing firm on Thursday morning, telling Channel 7’s Sunrise he “overruled” Ms Palaszczuk after she initially said she would not be among the 1000 or so VIPs to attend the opening ceremony, which – like most of the events – will be closed to the public because of Covid-19 restrictions in the Japanese capital

“Yes I did do that (overrule the Premier) in a press conference last night,” Mr Coates said on Thursday