SENATOR DELETES VIDEO AFTER EXPLICIT RAP SONG IS HEARD OVER ANZAC DAY FOOTAGE
Senator Helen Polley deleted an Instagram video on April 29, 2024, after it was discovered the audio track included an explicit rap song overlaid on images of Anzac Day commemorations.
The Video and the Error
The video was posted to an Instagram account bearing Polley’s name and photo, which has approximately 80 followers. The footage featured a marching band, wreath-laying, speeches at the Launceston cenotaph, and Polley alongside fellow MP Jess Teesdale holding wreaths.
However, the audio track mixed an instrumental version of the Australian national anthem with "A$$ N Da Aurr" by American rapper Chingy. The song includes lyrics such as: "Move dat ass, all around put your hands in da air, now put ya hands on the ground, put your ass in da air."
Response and Deletion
Guardian Australia contacted Polley’s office and the prime minister’s office on April 29. The video was deleted shortly afterward.
At the time of deletion, the video had received about a dozen comments, with some users criticizing the choice of music.
Official Statement
A spokesperson for Polley released a statement, saying:
"The Senator has spent her life giving thanks to those who have served our nation – including her father who served in World War Two… 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."
Background on the Senator
Senator Polley has been a Labor senator for Tasmania since 2004 and previously served as a shadow minister. She is known online for her series of cooking videos featuring a George Foreman grill, which she affectionately calls "George."
In 2024, Polley also gained attention for accidentally referring to Labor colleague Dan Repacholi as "Mr Ravioli" during a committee hearing.