Joe Hockey says Craig Emerson is a 'circus clown' after dance act

UPDATE: JOE Hockey has slammed Craig Emerson as a "circus clown" who doesn't take Australians' concerns seriously.

UPDATE: JOE Hockey has slammed Craig Emerson as a "circus clown" who doesn't take the concerns of Australians seriously.

During a TV interview yesterday, Mr Emerson started dancing and singing "no Whyalla wipeout, there on my TV" to the tune of 1975 Skyhooks single, Horror Movie.

Mr Emerson's reference to Whyalla follows comments from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott that the carbon tax would wipe the South Australian town off the map.

Mr Hockey wasn't amused and says the trade minister's disgraceful behaviour reflects the attitude of the Federal Government to the concerns of everyday Australians about the carbon tax.

The singing was bad, but Mr Emerson stands by his performance.

"What we're making light of is Mr Abbott's doom and gloom prophecies," he said.

It was awkward and out-of-tune and Mr Emerson has been accused of mocking the people of Whyalla and other industrial towns fearful that the penalty on carbon emissions might cost many jobs.

Today he said he had made an important point but admitted he was a better minister than singer.

"Singing is not right up there with my other abilities," Mr Emerson told Sky News.

"But I was trying to get an important point through here. And that is, we've had a year or more of Mr Abbott terrifying communities and they have taken this to heart - they have been very worried."

His parody of Tony Abbott's carbon tax claims was well planned - he cleared the use of Skyhooks' tune Horror Movie with band member Red Symons.

The Australian Online has learned Dr Emerson sought permission to use the song on July 1, after writing the lyrics on a visit to the South Australian steel town.

He was concerned about copyright issues so contacted Symons through the ABC, where the former Skyhooks guitarist works as a radio broadcaster.

Symons assured Dr Emerson he had no problem with the song being used.

Liberal front bencher George Brandi's was not impressed by the song.

"I don't know what he was thinking," he said.

"I think that he's certainly earned himself star billing in Coalition election campaigning for the coming election campaign."