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One hopes for a calm and dignified demeanour from our leaders but it seems Australia’s politicians just can’t resist the opportunity to break into song.
The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, on Wednesday offered up his satirical version of Billy Joel’s 1989 classic We Didn’t Start the Fire, thus reminding us of some of Australian politicians’ greatest hits.
Craig Emerson wipes out
Who could forget witnessing the former Labor minister muttering “no Whyalla wipeout” to the tune of Skyhooks’ 1974 hit Horror Movie?
Craig Emerson’s singular vocal stylings came in response to Tony Abbott’s comment that the carbon tax would wipe the South Australian city “off the map”.
Bob Katter’s got a feeling
The member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, is a master of political stunts. His laconic rendition of the Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969 classic Bad Moon Rising in 2018 came in a video posted to his Facebook page.
The long-serving federal MP changed the chorus to “There’s a crossbench on the rise”. Don’t miss the out-of-time hand claps!
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Bill Shorten’s rap battle
When the then federal opposition leader channelled his inner rapper on Fitzy & Wippa’s radio show in 2017, many were caught off guard.
Bill Shorten dropped bars including “Our economy is in debt but Malcom’s just chillin’, hey Malcom can you lend us a couple of million?” to the tune of 50 cent’s In Da Club, in what appeared to be a blatant attempt to traumatise – sorry, relate to – younger generations.
ScoMo’s ukulele
It would be remiss not to mention Scott Morrison singing April Sun in Cuba while strumming his ukulele on 60 Minutes in 2022.
He forgot the words halfway through and was out of tune for the duration. The band Dragon was less than impressed by the then prime minister’s cover of their track, calling it “a cynical move for a politician to co-opt music in an attempt to humanize themselves come election time”.
GG’s wife brings sunshine
Linda Hurley, wife of the former governor general David Hurley, was known for her predilection for turning functions into singalongs.
In 2019 she led Legacy widows at a Canberra morning tea in a chorus of You Are My Sunshine, in hopes of raising the morale of staff and guests.
Western Australian idol
The former WA leader of the house David Templeman was renowned for belting out musical numbers in parliament.
His hits include Always Look on the Bright Side of Parliament and Plastic Bags Banned (to the tune of Sound of Silence). His version of the Bee Gees’ 1967 hit To Love Somebody recounted his efforts to buy tickets for Coldplay’s 2023 tour.
Clare Scriven’s been everywhere
South Australia’s primary industries minister may be the best singer of the lot.
In a 2022 rendition of I’ve Been Everywhere, posted to ABC Adelaide’s Facebook page, she replaced the places named in the song with towns and cities across SA, all the while banging a pen on a glass. Once heard, never forgotten.
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There are many more musical politicians – Peter Garrett, the former Labor minister and lead singer of Midnight Oil, looms large – but do you qualify if you were a rock star before entering parliament?
