Heard and Depp issue video apology over dogs saga

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says a video by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard apologising for bringing their dogs to Australia was part of a deal.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have made a video about the importance of biosecurity to Australia.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have made a video about the importance of biosecurity to Australia. Source: Facebook

A video featuring a less-than-enthusiastic Johnny Depp and Amber Heard apologising for bringing their puppies into Australia undeclared was part of a court deal.

Depp and Heard sit side by side and appear displeased while uttering their opening line: "Australia is a wonderful island with a treasure trove of unique animals, plants and people".

Taking turns talking, the pair warn Australia must be protected from diseases found around the world.

"If you disrespect Australian law, they will tell you firmly," Depp says.

Heard says she was truly sorry Pistol and Boo were not declared.

The video went straight to Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce's Facebook page and he wants it to be viewed as much as possible - including, potentially, on flights.
"I would enjoy that," Mr Joyce replied when asked if the video should be used to warn passengers on airlines.

"That would be something for Qantas and other airlines."

The deputy prime minister confirmed the video was part of a deal struck with the agriculture department but didn't reveal if the department was involved in the scripting.

Heard on Monday pleaded guilty to providing a false document last year when she failed to tell Customs officials she had brought her dogs Pistol and Boo into the country on their private jet.

She escaped without a conviction, but copped a one-month good-behaviour bond.

Last year, Mr Joyce hit global headlines after threatening to euthanise Pistol and Boo if they didn't "bugger off" from the country.

He would not comment on Heard's punishment, saying that was a matter for the courts and suggesting the actors may not have wanted their parts in the video.

"I don't think it was something they would have willingly wanted to do," he told reporters in Canberra.

Australians quickly took to Twitter to ridicule the video on Monday afternoon, with some commenting on Depp's poor acting and others comparing it to a hostage video.

In the video, Depp labels Australians "unique" - both warm and direct.

Mr Joyce sidestepped questions about who Depp might have been talking about and whether he believed the pair were genuine.

He hopes the video will be a warning to all visitors to Australia that biosecurity is not a joke.

Two hours after the video was posted on Mr Joyce's Facebook page it had been viewed almost 120,000 times.

The video has fascinated social media users who weren't sure what to make of it.

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3 min read
Published 18 April 2016 3:20pm
Updated 18 April 2016 7:00pm
Source: AAP


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