Australian Politicians' Unforgettable Musical Performances
While citizens typically expect calm and dignified leadership, Australia's political figures have repeatedly demonstrated a surprising propensity for breaking into song. The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, recently revived this tradition with his satirical take on Billy Joel's 1989 classic We Didn't Start the Fire, delivered during a parliamentary session that left observers both cheering and jeering.
Tim Wilson's Billy Joel Moment
Wilson's parliamentary performance has sparked renewed interest in Australian politicians' musical ventures. His rendition, which cleverly adapted lyrics to comment on current affairs, serves as a reminder that political communication sometimes takes unexpected melodic turns.
Seven Notable Political Performances
Craig Emerson's Skyhooks Adaptation
Few can forget former Labor minister Craig Emerson's unique vocal interpretation of Skyhooks' 1974 hit Horror Movie. His memorable delivery of "no Whyalla wipeout" came as a direct response to Tony Abbott's controversial claim that the carbon tax would erase the South Australian city from existence.
Bob Katter's Creedence Revival
The member for Kennedy, Bob Katter—renowned for political theatrics—shared a Facebook video in 2018 featuring his laconic take on Creedence Clearwater Revival's 1969 classic Bad Moon Rising. Katter creatively altered the chorus to "There's a crossbench on the rise," complete with noticeably off-beat hand claps that added to the performance's eccentric charm.
Bill Shorten's Rap Attempt
In 2017, then opposition leader Bill Shorten surprised listeners during a radio appearance by channeling his inner rapper. Setting his political commentary to the tune of 50 Cent's In Da Club, Shorten delivered lines including "Our economy is in debt but Malcolm's just chillin', hey Malcolm can you lend us a couple of million?" in what many interpreted as an attempt to connect with younger demographics.
Scott Morrison's Ukulele Performance
Former prime minister Scott Morrison attempted Dragon's April Sun in Cuba while strumming a ukulele during a 2022 television interview. The performance, characterized by forgotten lyrics and persistent tuning issues, drew criticism from the original band, who described it as "a cynical move for a politician to co-opt music in an attempt to humanize themselves come election time."
Linda Hurley's Sunshine Singalong
Linda Hurley, wife of former governor general David Hurley, became known for transforming formal gatherings into musical events. In 2019, she led Legacy widows in a heartfelt rendition of You Are My Sunshine during a Canberra morning tea, aiming to boost morale among attendees.
David Templeman's Parliamentary Performances
The former Western Australian leader of the house, David Templeman, earned recognition for regularly bursting into song during parliamentary proceedings. His repertoire included Always Look on the Bright Side of Parliament and Plastic Bags Banned (set to the melody of Sound of Silence), along with a Bee Gees' To Love Somebody adaptation about his efforts to secure Coldplay concert tickets.
Clare Scriven's Geographical Rendition
South Australia's primary industries minister Clare Scriven may possess the strongest vocal talents among politically-minded performers. Her 2022 Facebook video featured an impressive adaptation of I've Been Everywhere, with original location names replaced by South Australian towns and cities, all accompanied by rhythmic pen-tapping on a glass surface.
The Professional Musician Exception
While numerous politicians have dabbled in musical performance, some entered parliament with established musical credentials. Former Labor minister Peter Garrett, previously lead singer of Midnight Oil, represents the most prominent example of this crossover between rock stardom and political service.
These seven examples illustrate how Australian politicians have repeatedly used music as an unconventional communication tool, whether to make political points, connect with constituents, or simply express themselves in moments of unguarded enthusiasm.
