Feeding the Muppets
What does the Morrison government have to offer in terms of serious policy?
The 25 most Onion-like Australian politics headlines of the year
As a writer for a daily satirical news show (ABC2’s The Roast), I’ve spent a lot of 2013 writing jokes about Australian politics. Often there were depressing moments when I realised I couldn’t write anything funnier than the actual story. Instead, I could only sit back in awe of the Onion-ness of the headline. (For those unfamiliar, The Onion is an American satirical newspaper and website renown for its sardonic headlines.)
Appreciating the Onion-ness of real news headlines isn’t new (in fact, there’s a tumblr dedicated to the activity). But, as the year draws to a close, there might be no better way to reflect on the absurdity of Australian politics than revisiting the most Onion-like Australian politics headlines of 2013.
Here’s my top 25:
Tony Abbott says Malcolm Turnbull ‘invented the internet’
White-bread salami sandwich thrown at Prime Minister Julia Gillard
Prime Minister Julia Gillard hit by another sandwich during Lyneham High School visit
Tony Abbott kisses nun in Sydney
KRudd dog reaches out to young voters on social media site Reddit
Front-page Nazi slur against PM Kevin Rudd puts Rupert Murdoch centre stage in Australian election
Federal election 2013: Tony Abbott talks up the ‘sex appeal’ of Lindsay candidate
Tony Abbott says he is ‘the guy with the not bad-looking daughters’
Portfolio details spell out Tony Abbott’s role as women’s minister
Motoring Enthusiast Party nabs Senate seat
Likely Australian senator brushes off kangaroo poo fight video
Barnaby Joyce says $4600 trip to watch State of Origin and NRL finals was legitimate business
Joe Hockey says Tony Abbott too ‘flat out’ to talk to the media
Greg Hunt uses Wikipedia research to dismiss climate change-bushfires link
Howard launches ‘anti-warmist manual’ for kids
Scott Morrison defends limiting asylum seeker’s time with newborn baby
Labor frontbencher Gary Gray eats his own hair in Parliament
I’m too rich to be corrupted, Clive Palmer declares
Clive Palmer tells journos ‘it’s time to lift your game’
Clive Palmer ‘twerks’ on the Kyle and Jackie O show
Clive Palmer’s party wins third Senate seat
Senator Glenn Lazarus will be good for Federal Parliament, says his mum
Clive Palmer has a cold and may miss first day of parliament
Evan Williams is a New York-based comedy writer. He has contributed humour to The New Yorker’s Daily Shouts, McSweeney’s and SBS Viceland’s The Feed.
Comments