It’s been called ‘awkward’.
The opposition called it ‘unhinged’.
The ABC called it a ‘slanging match’ and a ‘shirtfront’.
And the Prime Minister questioned the South Australian Premier’s “state of mind”.
But this was no brain explosion. All Jay Weatherill delivered to Josh Frydenberg yesterday was the most EPIC dad tone this fair nation has seen.
After yesterday's press conference to launch a 'virtual power plant', the Federal Energy Minister found himself conducting a joint press conference with the Premier and South Australia's Treasurer, Tom Koutsantonis, and another, random man who watched the proceedings like the other child in the family. ie: with the largest sh*t-eating grin you've ever seen.
Part way through hearing about how outstanding the Government are at securing the future of energy for the nation, dad had heard enough:
He calmly sets up what is about to happen in the family household.
And you can see, moment by moment, the ultimate dad brain unfold:
The 'you bloody what' moment:
And then the ultimate dad tone delivery: dead calm, with a straight face and an even tone, telling Frydenberg that his behaviour was "disgraceful".
The father of two said it was "galling" to be standing beside Frydenberg after he and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had spent the past six months "bagging South Australia at every step of the way".
Oh, man.
Anyone who has been on the end of the dad tone knows; it hurts. It's savage. "I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed" they say and it's worse than a punch in the face because you know you've bloody done it now.
And thus we witnessed a portrait of the ultimate family meeting: put-upon mum, delighted sibling, and the rotten egg getting the "I'm so disappointed in you" talk.
Frydenberg later described Weatherill's actions as "unbecoming, childish and unacceptable."
Which is seriously hilarious given the current President of the United States is Donald Trump.
Jay Weatherill couldn't have been further from childish. The father of two just showed he was the ultimate dad.
So Josh, don't piss Dad off anymore.
Top Comments
I feel the author of this has it wrong and backwards, just as the previous article on this did. Weatherill was not being a 'dad' (if anything, Frydenberg was by politely correcting Weatherill's tantrum away from the media), he was being a spoilt brat throwing a tantrum. Weatherill really made a fool of himself.
The Weatherill/Labour Govt of SA is a complete basket case. The state has the highest unemployment, highest electricty and gas prices, and Emergency Services Levy (Land Tax) on the value of property/homes, plus the highest stamp duty in Australia. The current power woes of the state can be laid firmly at the ineptitude of Weatherill's Govt. To top if off, the state has just built the most expensive hospital in the world, which has just about bankrupted the health system.
Do you live in SA, Suzie?.
I wonder if this is because much of the opportunities that have either slipped through the fingers of this state largely have a lot to do with the fact that the Federal government has a tendency to make choices and changes depending on each states political preference, through their election of the opposition into government & pay for this choice. I live in Victoria and the Andrew's government has rubbed the Federal government up the wrong way regularly, and yes our power charges have increased, but when you look at a lot of the points that you have made, much of these the Weatherill government has little control over as they are largely Federal decisions that are made to try and encourage voters when they go to the polls to vote for a Liberal government, and the reality is that none of these problems will change whichever government state or federal are in power, as these high charges are often set around the vagaries of private enterprise or federal government decision making processes , which as a premier he has little to no control over. I do suggest many people need to actually do some research into how these charges etc are levied.
The Labor Govt have managed to stuff up nearly everything they touch without help from the Federal Govt. Every tax or charge I mentioned is strictly the purview of the State. The Olympic Dam expansion got scrapped because of the red tape and hurdles the company had to go through, so they simply pulled out. The SA Govt has to borrow money from China to pay its public service, the only growth industry in the State.