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Aus PM in birthday hug scare
27/07/2006 14:20 - (SA)
Sydney - Australian Prime Minister John Howard's security detachment has been left red-faced after a teenager carrying a screwdriver strolled up to the leader and gave him a bear-hug.
The incident occurred on Wednesday as Howard enjoyed a morning stroll along the banks of Melbourne's Yarra River on his 67th birthday.
Schoolboy Stephen Battaglia, 16, was working on a rowboat when he and his friends spotted the prime minister.
Battaglia simply walked up to Howard, screwdriver in hand, catching the prime minister's security detachment flat footed.
"I didn't realise I had it in my hand. I went up and said, 'Happy 67th birthday Johnnie' and gave him a big hug," Battaglia told Sky News.
"He was having a great time. I hugged him - he had a big smile on his face, I had a smile on my face. I said, 'Happy birthday Johnnie, keep up the good work' and he was off."
While there was no suggestion Battaglia had any malicious intent, newspapers questioned why Howard's security had failed to stop him. Howard's office declined to comment.
- AFP
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