Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been secretly recorded mocking Donald Trump.

Mr Turnbull was speaking at an annual ball for politicians and journalists, who were expected not to reveal what was said at the Canberra event - but leaked audio has emerged.

In it, the Prime Minister is heard mimicking the US President's speaking style and parodying his repeated use of the words "beautiful" and "winning".

Starting with a reference to his meeting with Mr Trump in New York last month, he said: "It was beautiful. It was the most beautiful putting-me-at-ease ever."

The crowd laughed as he continued: "The Donald and I, we are winning and winning in the polls. We are winning so much, we are winning, we are winning like we have never won before.


"We are. Not the fake polls! Not the fake polls! They're the ones we're not winning in. We're winning in the real polls. You know, the online polls.

"They are so easy to win. Did you know that? I know that."

To more laughter, he then added: "I have this Russian guy... Believe me it's true, it is true."

Image: Mr Turnbull has said his speech was 'light-hearted, affectionate, good-natured'

Mr Turnbull told 3AW radio his speech was a "good-humoured roast".

"(It was) light-hearted, affectionately light-hearted," he said.

"It's a breach of protocol, it's a breach of faith and all those things, but it's light-hearted, affectionate, good-natured.

"The butt of my jokes was myself. It was fun, we've got to lighten up."

A US Embassy spokesman in Canberra told Nine News, which first published the audio: "We take this with the good humour that was intended."

Pictures of Mr Turnbull and Mr Trump taken in New York in early May showed the pair looking uncomfortable as they sit in chairs preparing for talks.

The Australian Prime Minister was reportedly kept waiting around three hours ahead of the meeting.

January: Trump cuts short 'worst call by far' with Australian PM

Their relationship got off to a bad start after a testy phone call at the start of Mr Trump's presidency.

The US President reportedly cut the call short over a refugee agreement he described as a "dumb deal", which was struck between Australia and Obama's administration.

At the time it was reported Mr Trump had told the Australian leader it had been the "worst call by far" with a foreign leader that day.

Turnbull tight-lipped over 'abbreviated' Trump phone call

But Mr Trump in May said it had been "a great call".

"You guys exaggerated that call. That was an exaggeration," he said.

"I mean, we're not babies. We had a great call. It was a bit of fake news is the expression."

He also said the refugee deal had "all worked out".