Johnny Depp Says He Loves Australia Even Though Amber Heard Is Still Facing Charges Over Its Quarantine Laws

Actor/musician claims he has been invited to stay at the home of Barnaby Joyce, Australia's Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

By Zach Johnson Feb 17, 2016 2:44 PMTags
Amber Heard, Johnny Depp, 2016 Grammy Awards, CandidsKevin Mazur/WireImage

Johnny Depp may venture Down Under again after all.

In April 2015, the actor was accused of failing to declare his two Yorkshire terriers, Boo and Pistol, when he flew into Australia on his private jet to film Walt Disney Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Barnaby Joyce, Australian Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, spoke to ABC radio at the time, saying, "There is a process if you want to bring animals: you get the permits, they go into quarantine and then you can have them. But if we start letting movie stars—even though they've been the Sexiest Man Alive twice—to come into our nation [and break the laws], then why don't we just break the laws for everybody?"

Joyce gave him 50 hours to remove the dogs from Australian soil or risk being euthanized. Depp complied with his request, and the dogs flew home to California.

While walking the red carpet at the 2016 Grammys in L.A. Monday night, Sydney-based TV reporter Emma Dallimore asked Depp, "Do you still love us in Australia?" The Hollywood Vampires rocker replied, "Of course. I love Australia."

"Are you going to come back?" Dallimore asked. Depp said he "absolutely" will. "I think that guy, Barnaby? He invited me to stay at his house, for some reason."

2016 Grammy Awards

Johnny Depp spoke to 7 News about Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce on the Grammy Awards red carpet. "He invited me to stay at his house" - Johnny Depp.Updates: http://bit.ly/1SPVS3c#Grammys2016 #7News

Posted by 7 News Sydney on Monday, February 15, 2016

Joyce, for his part, has yet to confirm Depp's off-the-cuff announcement is true.

After all, during the Venice Film Festival in September, Depp referred to Joyce as "some kind of sweaty, big-gutted man from Australia." In December, Joyce's firm stance on the alleged illegal importation earned him the Froggatt Award for principled decision-making by the Invasive Species Council.

Depp's wife, Amber Heard, still faces charges relating to breaches of quarantine laws. The case has been scheduled for a four-day trial in Queensland, beginning Apr. 18. The Magic Mike XXL star expressed her displeasure over the dog drama during an appearance on Australia's Sunrise in June. "I have a feeling we're going to avoid the land Down Under from now on, just as much as we can, thanks to certain politicians there," she said. In a jab aimed at Joyce, Heard added, "I guess everyone tries to go for their 15 minutes, including some government officials."

Watch: Johnny Depp Rolls With Super Group to 2016 Grammys