PM plays down talk leak

Relationship with US one of ‘mutual assistance’

MALCOLM Turnbull has played down a leak of the full transcript of his now notorious January phone conversation with US President Donald Trump — describing the chat as “courteous” and “frank”.

Mr Trump told the PM in the heated call — which made international headlines — a deal for the US to take up to 1200 refugees from Manus Island and Nauru was “stupid,” “disgusting” and “horrible”.

“This deal will make me look terrible ... I am going to get killed on this thing,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump also told the PM he was “worse than I am” on immigration policy.

The full transcript, originally published by The Washington Post, showed Mr Turnbull indicated that Mr Trump needed to take the refugees because it was part of a “bargain” struck with former President Barack Obama.

“I say this to you sincerely that it is in the mutual interest of the United States to say, ‘yes, we can confirm with that deal — we are not obliged to take anybody we do not want, we will go through extreme vetting’ and that way you are seen to show the respect that a trusted ally wants and deserves,” Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Turnbull told reporters yesterday he was not going to comment “on the leak of this supposed transcript”.

“Let me just say that the nature of our relationship with the United States in this area is one of mutual assistance,” he said.

Senior Government minister Josh Frydenberg said the transcript showed Mr Turnbull had “stood up for Australia’s interests”.

Labor’s immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann has called on Mr Turnbull to release details of Australia’s deal with the Obama administration, suggesting some of the PM’s comments had put the deal at risk.