Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley has faced significant backlash for posting an ANZAC Day video from Launceston’s cenotaph service, using the song Ass n Da Aurr by American rapper Chingy, as background.
Senator Polley’s office readily referred Mediaweek‘s request for comment to her media representative, who did not respond by the time of publication of this story.
The well-intentioned Instagram compilation of photos showed moments from ANZAC day, but mistakenly used the song, whose lyrics include “put your ass in da aurr”, as background.
Viewers were appalled by what was clearly an error – albeit one that never should have been made for such a significant occasion.
“From a former serving member please stop this,” one said, and another wrote, “This is the most disrespectful ANZAC Day post I have seen in a while.”
Other viewers had a more reasonable approach, acknowledging it was clear a mistake had been made, as this person said: “Sounds like an honest mistake from someone unfamiliar with the nuances of reels and it was taken down. Wasn’t there recently a story about another female politician being forced out due to online harassment?…”
Another noted, “Instagram is notorious for randomly adding random music and sometimes you don’t realise until you’ve posted or someone points it out to you. I highly doubt this was done intentionally.”
While this viewer was more outraged by the lack of nationwide public holiday: “Shouldn’t we be more worried that our government doesn’t think Tasmania deserves a public holiday to commemorate our fallen heroes , shame shame shame.”
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Senator Helen Polley’s ANZAC Day video edited
An updated/edited version of the video remains on Senator Polley’s Instagram, now using sombre bugle music typically associated with ANZAC Day.
Guardian Australia reports that it “approached Polley’s office and the office of the prime minister about the clip. Shortly afterward, the clip was deleted.”
A spokesperson told them in a statement that Polley “has spent her life giving thanks to those who have served our nation – including her father who served in World War Two and was part of Tasmania’s incredible 2/40th Infantry Battalion.
“The Senator has written and spoken at length about her father’s bravery and how it has inspired her, and gave thanks again at Saturday’s service in Launceston to all of our service men and women.”
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Top image: Senator Helen Polley, Instagram