Scott Morrison throws support behind a bizarre attraction

Scott Morrison gave the most Australian answer after being asked a question he definitely wasn't expecting at a press conference.

Scott Morrison is used to fielding hard to answer questions but he probably wasn’t expected to be quizzed about a big ute on a stick while campaigning in Geelong.

Mr Morrison was in town to spruik his government’s homebuyer policies with local candidate and mayor Stephanie Asher when he was thrown the major curveball.

“Prime Minister, Geelong Council put a feasibility study into a big ute for the region,” the local reporter asked.

The PM furrowed his brow, pausing for a second before saying: “Sorry”.

The moment Scott Morrison found out about the Geelong big ute.

Local mayor and Corangamite candidate Stephanie Asher was all laughs when the big ute was mentioned.

But that did not deter the intrepid Geelong native, who continued along his line of questioning.

“A ute on a pole as a tourist attraction,” he said matter of factly, as if it was the most normal question in the world to ask the Prime Minister.

“Do you support a big ute for Geelong as a tourist attraction?”

But Mr Morrison quickly got on board and launched into a downright hilarious response that will no doubt give the regional Victorian town hope the project will go ahead.

“I love utes. How good are utes? And how good would a big ute be? That's what I would say,” the Prime Minister said.

An artist's impression of the Geelong big ute. Credit: Geelong Broadcasters

“I think that's one of the iconic nature of Australian tourist attractions anywhere in the country.

“I remember driving up to the Pacific Highway in NSW and there was a big oyster and big prawn and big banana all of these things I think it is one of the amusing elements of these things and I think it is done with tongue-in-cheek as well which is I think very consistent with the Australian sense of humour.”

The iconic Ford ute was first conceived, designed and built at the former Ford factory at Geelong.

A campaign to memorialise this part of the regional town’s history was launched by local radio hosts Herbie and Josh in conjunction with the Geelong Museum of Motoring and Industry.

Over 700 local residents supported the petition, which was presented to local council last month where it was later given in-principle support.

But support for a big ute goes beyond just the council and Scott Morrison.

Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind a big ute for Geelong. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Last month, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said he was a big fan of the idea.

“I’m a big fan of big things for Australia. We’re a big country, we need more big things as tourism attractions,” he told reporters in Geelong.

Meanwhile Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said he doesn’t “necessarily have any thoughts on large utes” but would look at “anything that supports workers”.

The Australian Electoral Commission even got in on the fun, later poking fun about where the big ute could be located.

Depending on placement, the Big Ute On A Stick would be located in either Corio or Corangamite. https://t.co/1Dxx85bXsBpic.twitter.com/9yngB28LEJ

— AEC ✏️ (@AusElectoralCom) December 9, 2021

Originally published as Scott Morrison throws support behind a bizarre attraction