Politicians have a long and proud history of quoting from some of the world’s most revered cultural philosophers, usually in a bid to out-smart their opposition. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and (at least in the US) Abraham Lincoln have provided some of the richest wellsprings of relevant catch-quotes to bolster statements on political policy. But in 2015, it seems there’s a new player in town, and she’s gonna play, play, play, play, etc.
Perhaps in a desperate attempt to seem “cool”, or capture the youth vote, or score free tickets to her next concert, politicians in Australia have taken to frequently invoking the wise words of 25-year-old popstar, Taylor Swift.
As proof, we’ve curated a list of recent examples in which T-Swizzle’s lyrics have popped up in politics, from parliamentary speeches to Senate hearings, thus proving once and for all that the “Shake It Off” singer has more relevance to modern politics than most modern politicians. #Tay4President?
1. Attorney-General John Elferink
In the most recent example of a political top dog “chucking a Swiftie”, Northern Territory Attorney-General John Elferink broke out in song during a parliamentary sitting this week, while answering questions about mandatory alcohol treatment programs. His song of choice? Tay Tay’s “Shake It Off”. Duh. “I’m a very sensitive person, but I turn to the great American philosopher T-Swift,” Elferink said before launching into a spirited chorus of the chart-scorching hit. Observe:
2. Nationals MP, Andrew Broad
Another Aussie MP to invoke the power of the Swift was Nationals backbencher, Andrew Broad, during a parliamentary speech he gave in support of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Bil earlier this year. Broad’s song of choice was also “Shake It Off”, because of course it was.
“The haters are gonna hate, the players are gonna play,” The Member for Mallee told the House of Representatives back in February, complete with rhythmic hand movements, as popularised by the song’s video clip.
Last night I spoke about the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Bill and the importance of giving our children the skills to cope with bulllying. Australian children need to grow up believing in themselves. I might have even mentioned Taylor Swift. You better watch this and find out.
Posted by Andrew Broad MP member for Mallee on Monday, February 23, 2015
3. Labor MP, Andrew Giles
Victorian Labor Member for Scullin Andrew Giles also referenced T-Swift back in February, when addressing the LNP during a parliamentary sitting in Canberra. Referring to the "personality problems that bedevil" the government and their so-called "1950's values", Giles dragged the "members opposite" him back to 2015 by asking them to "think about Taylor Swift" and, yep, "Shake It Off".
Abbott's attack on Australian famiies
Judging by the furious interjections, I obviously hit a raw nerve when I spoke today about the Abbott Government's cuts to family payments. As Taylor Swift (and my mate Terri Butler MP) would say: haters gonna hate...Tony Abbott said, 'good government starts today', but it's a bad start to the year for Australian families.SHARE to show your support for the needs of Australian families today, and for us to shake off this government's 1950s dreams and its self-indulgent family feud.Australian Labor Party Jenny Macklin MP
Posted by Andrew Giles MP on Wednesday, February 11, 2015
4. Labor MP, Terri Butler
Labor Member for Griffith, Terri Butler, didn't hold back from outing herself as a Swiftie when she addressed parliament earlier this year, even confessing to voting for Tay Tay in the triple J Hottest 100. But she also made a savvy political metaphor when speaking about the Liberal party's leadership spill, saying that "Rather than voting for a blank space, the Liberal Party should shake off their rotten policies." icwutudidthar Terri Butler.
SHARE - Rather than voting for a 'blank space', the Liberal Party should shake off their rotten policies.
Posted by Terri Butler MP on Tuesday, February 10, 2015
5. ABC Managing Director, Mark Scott
Fronting a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra earlier this year, the head of the ABC, Mark Scott, was quizzed by Nationals Senator Matthew Canavan about his stance on "the Taylor Swift controversy", referring to mass outrage over T-Swizzle being disallowed entry into the 2015 triple j Hottest 100. Scott's response was both appropriate and predictable.
6. This Hilarious Tony Abbott Spoof Video
Ok, so this doesn't have an affiliation with any particular political party. But if a clip that shows a cartoon Tony Abbott dancing around in budgie smugglers to "Shake It Off" isn't the best possible way to articulate the increasingly close and complex relationship between modern politics and Taylor Alison Swift, then we don't know what is.
