Can you watch without wincing? Seven times Australian politicians burst into song | Australian politics
Our leaders are expected to maintain a calm and dignified demeanor, but it seems Australian politicians can’t resist the opportunity to sing.
Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson reminded us of some of the Australian politicians’ greatest hits on Wednesday when he delivered a satirical version of Billy Joel’s 1989 classic We Didn’t Start the Fire.
Craig Emerson deletes
Who can forget witnessing the former Minister of Labor crooning “No deletion of Nehyalla” to the tune of Skyhooks’ 1974 hit Horror Movie?
Craig Emerson’s unique vocal style came in response to Tony Abbott’s comment that a carbon tax would wipe the South Australian city “off the map”.
Bob Katter has a feeling
Member for Kennedy Bob Katter is a master at political stunts. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s succinct 2018 rendition of the 1969 classic Bad Moon Rising came in a video posted on its Facebook page.
The long-serving federal MP changed the chorus to “There’s a crossbench on the rise”. Don’t miss the timed hand claps!
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Bill Shorten’s rap battle
When the then federal opposition leader channeled his inner rapper into Fitzy & Wippa’s radio show in 2017, many were caught off guard.
Bill Shorten: “Our economy is in debt but Malcom is just chilling, hey Malcom can you lend us a few million?” He reduced such measurements. To the tune of 50 cent’s song In Da Club, it was what seemed like a blatant attempt to traumatize – sorry, engage with – younger generations.
ScoMo’s ukulele
It would be remiss not to mention Scott Morrison singing April Sun while strumming his ukulele on 60 Minutes in Cuba in 2022.
Halfway through he forgot the words and was out of tune the entire time. The band Dragon were less than impressed with the then-prime minister’s cover of their song, calling it “a cynical move to have a politician choose music in an attempt to humanize themselves come election time.”
GG’s wife brings sunshine
Linda Hurley, wife of former governor general David Hurley, was known for her preference for singularizing functions.
In 2019, she led Heritage widows in the You Are My Sunshine chorus at a morning tea in Canberra, hoping to lift the morale of staff and guests.
Western Australian idol
The group’s former WA leader, David Templeman, was famous for belting out musical numbers in parliament.
His hit songs include Always Look on the Bright Side of Parliament and Banned Plastic Bags (to the tune of The Sound of Silence). His version of the Bee Gees’ 1967 hit To Love Somebody chronicled Coldplay’s efforts to purchase tickets for their 2023 tour.
Clare Scriven was everywhere
South Australia’s primary industries minister may be the best singer of the bunch.
In a 2022 rendition of I’ve Been Everywhere posted on ABC Adelaide’s Facebook page, He replaced the places mentioned in the song with towns and cities in SA, all the while tapping his pen on the glass. Heard once, never forgotten.
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There are many more musical politicians – former Labor Minister and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett stands out – but would you qualify if you were a rock star before entering parliament?
