Treasurer Joe Hockey caught dancing to Best Day of My Life before delivering Federal Budget

TONY Abbott defends Joe Hockey after Nine’s Laurie Oakes put the Treasurer on the spot on live TV this morning. Big time.

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has defended Treasurer Joe Hockey after his pre-Budget dance routine almost outshone his divisive Budget.

Doing the morning media rounds today, Mr Abbott described his deep respect for Mr Hockey and his Budget, which has “divided Australia”, according to Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt.

Abbott said this morning: “He has shown so much character and resolution. This is by far the best budget since 1996. In just this one budget, what Joe Hockey has shown is that he is a worthy successor to Peter Costello, who was a great treasurer.”

Last night’s Budget announcement may have been bad news for the elderly, disabled and pensioners, but for Mr Hockey it was the best day of his life.

Literally.

The Treasurer was forced to defend himself to press gallery stalwart Laurie Oakes last night after he questioned the Treasurer’s decision to dance to the tune Best Day of My Life before delivering the toughest Federal Budget in 18 years.

Not. Happy. Hockey.

A dumbfounded Mr Hockey seemed to stumble on Oakes’ opening question, which queried why he was dancing in his office before his big speech.

“Dancing?” a perplexed Hockey asked.

“I think it was more about our little boy was there, I hadn’t seen him for three weeks,” Mr Hockey responded.

Mr Hockey has since revealed the song is his eight-year-old son Xavier’s favourite song.

MORE: WHAT DOES THE BUDGET MEAN TO YOU?

MORE: HOCKEY’S WIFE SPLASHES ON BUDGET OUTFIT

Earlier today, Shadow Minister for Finance and former Immigration Minister Tony Burke posted a revised version of the interview, poking fun at Hockey’s ironic choice of song.

This morning on The Today Show, Mr Hockey attacked his critics for what he thought was an innocent moment with his son Xavier, describing the criticism as “vicious innuendo”.

Hockey’s wife Melissa gets in a groove to “Best Day Of My Life". Pic: Gary Ramage

Private moment: Treasurer Joe Hockey with son Xavier before his first Budget Speech to Parliament. Pic: Gary Ramage

Treasurer Joe Hockey in dance prep before his first Budget Speech to Parliament. Pic: Gary Ramage

But a quick thinking Oakes fired back at the Treasurer, responding, “But Symbolism matters. The unemployed, the sick, the welfare recipients hit by the budget, they’re not going to be dancing are they?”

“No Laurie, they’re not,” Mr Hockey conceded.

“It won’t be the best day of their life.

“But it is the best day for Australia, because we are actually getting on with the job of building a stronger nation, that’s what we’re focused on, building a stronger nation. It’s hugely important.”

Two left feet? Hockey with wife Melissa and son Xavier. Pic: Gary Ramage

A look at the lyrics of the song, by the American Authors, reveals some interesting insights into the Treasurer’s taste in music.

I had a dream so big and loud,

I jumped so high I touched the clouds ...

We danced with monsters through the night,

I’m never gonna look back ...

I’m never gonna give it up, no,

Please don’t wake me now,

This is gonna be the best day of my life.

But unfortunately for the Australian public, it was anything but the best Budget, with cuts to health and education, along with tax hikes for pensioners, fee rises for students and a range of welfare cuts.

“The days of borrow and spend must come to an end,” Mr Hockey said during his speech.

“We are a nation of lifters, not leaners. Unless we fix the Budget together, we will leave the next generation a legacy of debt, not opportunity.”

Social media users were quick to react to revelations of the Treasurer’s slick dance moves.

Originally published as Treasurer Joe Hockey caught dancing to Best Day of My Life before delivering Federal Budget