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NewsIf the PM walked into your pub, what would you say?
If the PM walked into your pub, what would you say?

If the PM walked into your pub, what would you say?

Last updated by Chris Zinn on

As if you needed reminding, the election is on. If the prime minister or aspirant leader walked into your pub, club or café. What would you say? And how might they reply?

Pensioner Ray Drury, aged 73, gave the PM an earful at the Edgeworth Tavern in Newcastle this month on his claim of low financial support for older Australians.

Mr Morrison's response was conciliatory but soon forgotten: "This is what we should do. You raised two very important issues - one on immigration and one on your pension - so let's sit down with one of my team. You can sit down right now," he replied.

It brings to mind a somewhat different reply when Bob Hawke ran into another pensioner called Bob Bell on the campaign trail in a Whyalla supermarket in SA on Sept 26 1989.

Bell told Hawkie, "You get more a week than we get a year." (Fact check Scott Morrison's base salary is  $211,250, plus an additional salary of $338,000, making for a gross $549,250, or $1505 a day)

But it was the PM's off the cuff and curt riposte which made history: "…you silly old bugger." 

The exchange made many of Hawke's obituaries and Whyalla once but sadly seems not to have erected a monument to a storm in a teacup.

So what would you say if you had your chance with a surprise meeting on the campaign trail with Morrison or Albanese?

And do you think pollies are now just too polite to people who have a go at them for fear of giving 'offence'?

I'd ask you to be a little respectful even if our leader's likely answer to you might not.
 

Originally posted on .

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Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

What would I say?... I would say hello, how are you? Just as I would ANY other customer or person who would enter my establishment. Civility and courtesy. Whether or not I agree with their politics, policies or beliefs. If I am asked to give my opinion or position, I will give it without personal attacks. As individuals and as groups, civil discourse allows people to preserve relationships with friends, family, and neighbours, we all have points of difference. 

Rob
Rob from VIC commented:

When will the Lib/Nats take the decision to build modern coal fired power stations and/ or nuclear powered and provide guaranteed base load power at affordable prices ? 

Graeme
Graeme from QLD replied to Rob:

About a 1000 years before labor will 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I would praise him on the very difficult period he's faced in his first term. Politics is a dirty business and its very noticeable right now. I would tell him that he has my vote as there is NO opposition. Labour, Greens and many independents need to be more interested is what is best for our country instead of their negativity on almost every issue . He's been blamed for fires, covid 19, floods at the same time as guiding us through to one of the best periods ahead for us by world standards. He's done a great job, no one else could have. 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

I would ask, why has no Government raised pensions to a livable income, when they know the cost of living is impacting on all society, and yet no Politician has forced the Government to find a solution. Here is the solution: Allow pensioners to work. Don't touch their pension. Tax them at 15% on their income. There are approximately 4 million pensioners, at least 1 million wanting to work. Why deny them the opportunity and why disregard 1 million workers when the country is experiencing a shortage of workers. This is common sense. Thank you Luke Manicaros 

Member
Member from VIC commented:

It wouldn't happen because I am not vaxxed and can't go to the pub. Get rid of the mandates! 

Graeme
Graeme from QLD commented:

I would ask Albo, Is he in the early stages of alzheimer's as he wants to charge electric cars at night from solar for free, doesn't know the the lodge is the PM residence not the GG, doesn't know the unemployment rate and doesn't know the cash rate 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

Personally I do believe wit due respect to the P.M that the Covid strategy became too political from both sides and we need a more independent body. Other needs are long term plan for debt reduction and support for pensioners and unemployed.The hospital situation of bickering between the Feds and States needs to be sorted out. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I'd tell him to (POQADCB) 

Jennifer
Jennifer from NSW commented:

I would congratulate him on what a good job he is doing, he is very compassionate and a great leader. He is not to blame for the weather or people starting bushfires. I will be voting for him and hope he gets in, there is no one else that could do a better job than he is. 

Elaine
Elaine from NSW commented:

I think the Prime Minister and Liberal party have had a very strenuous and mixed couple of years and have had a lot to contend with. I think they need to be treated with respect, speaking respectfully can get the message across if people are not happy without the language used is unnecessary. I also wish they would get on with the business of running the country ... this is what they are elected for. 

bob
bob from NSW replied to Elaine:

and they need a long rest in the opposition benches unless we wish to become a one party state ! 

Robert
Robert from NSW replied to bob:

In the 77 years since the end of WW2 the ALP has only ousted the sitting government 3 times. Whitlam / Hawke-Keating / Rudd-Gillard-Rudd Do you REALLY want more of that ??? 

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