Australia’s federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers was already in a sticky situation during an interview on Sunrise turned to the economy. But then it got a whole lot more chaotic when he suddenly found himself accused of trespassing by a punter.
Come one, come all, it’s another brilliant page in the history of Batshit moments in Australian politics. In today’s episode: Treasurer shits bricks live on TV when he gets told not to film on private property during a live broadcast.
For Jim Chalmers, it was a Tuesday morning like any other.
He was up early to do one of those standard politician media appearances, this time on Seven’s breakfast program Sunrise to talk to host Natalie Barr about the state of the Australian economy.
Now you’d excuse the politician for being a little nervous, given that there’s a cost-of-living crisis that is crunching most Aussies — worsened by the fact that it looks like inflation rates aren’t slowing down anytime soon.
But he soldiered on! Good on ya Jimmy. That’s what they pay you the big bucks for.
However, a few minutes into the live interview it became apparent that something else was happening off-screen that had given Jimbo an extra reason to feel butterflies in his tum.
While Barr was digging into Chalmers about Labor’s economic management, viewers of the breakfast show could hear a conversation going down behind the scenes of Chalmers’ camera in Perth.
“No, no, we’re asking you to leave. You can’t film on our premises,” said a man’s voice.
As a seasoned politician, the Treasurer was no stranger to the practise of ignoring what a member of the public said and giving his pre-planned answer. So Jim soldiered on with the interview with Natalie Barr.
But the apparent property owner wasn’t going to back down so easily, as they could be heard telling the producers behind Chalmers’ camera to stop recording, and accused them of trespassing.
“I believe you know you’re trespassing,” said the off-camera voice.
Now here was when Jim Chalmers began to get visibly distracted, and began stammering his answers, potentially due to the legal implications of trespassing as a minor offence.
The Treasurer’s eyes began to glance toward the kerfuffle going on in front of him, with his smile quickly disappearing.
BUT HE SOLDIERED ON.
At this point, the disgruntled landowner began to address the politician directly.
“All three of you. You understand that, too, mate? Do you understand that you are trespassing on private property and refusing to leave?” the man asked.
And though no word from Chalmers or the crew was given, the faceless man took their silence as confirmation they would leave.
“Yes? OK, can you please pack up your camera and leave? Thank you,” he said.
Honestly, please please please watch the entire awkward interaction below. You simply must.
@sbsnews_au Watch the moment Treasurer Jim Chalmers got asked to leave a location mid-interview for "trespassing private property". #auspol ♬ original sound – SBS News
Ahhh, Australia’s political elite. They’re just like us! Awkward in the face of conflict.
This hilarious interaction is another fine addition to the long list of times when Australian politicians have been interrupted during a media address.
Who could forget the time that then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison got told to bugger off some guy’s grass during a press conference?
‘Get off the grass!’ Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told to move on during stimulus announcement https://t.co/Mnt7YDjz0r pic.twitter.com/gvzMRqwtZW
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 4, 2020
There’s also the time that former PM Tony Abbott was out and about during an election campaign, when someone stopped him on camera and simply called him a “dickhead”. Classic.
Just reminded myself of the time Australia’s Tony Abbott was called a dickhead. pic.twitter.com/0QTM3YWUJX
— Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) March 4, 2024
Or (and this one is a HUGE throwback) there’s the time in 2001 when former Labor Leader Kim Beazley had a piece of corn offered to him during the middle of an interview.
AND THEN HE TOOK IT?!?!?!
@chaser.com.au Corn
♬ original sound – Chaser – The Chaser
God bless the people who interrupt our politicians during their work with silly shenanigans.
You are our true heroes.
[Image: Seven/Sunrise]
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