FULL INTERVIEW: PM Turnbull tells Tom Elliott leaked Trump gag was ‘affectionate’

The Prime Minister says his speech mimicking US President Donald Trump was “light-hearted”.

But he’s not happy it’s been leaked.

Malcolm Turnbull delivered the tongue-in-cheek address to the Mid-Winter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra last night.

Protocol is that what’s said at the ball, stays at the ball.

But the audio was published by veteran Nine journalist Laurie Oakes, who didn’t attend the event.

Mr Turnbull has told 3AW’s Tom Elliott it was never meant to be taken seriously.

“It’s light-hearted, affectionate, good natured,” he said.

“The butt of my jokes was myself.

“(The leak is) a breach of protocol, it’s a breach of faith, and all those things … you’ve got to have a laugh, you’ve got to lighten up.”

He suggested he might read budget papers at next year’s Mid-Winter Ball.

Click PLAY above to hear more on 3AW