Liberal media adviser called out for ‘appalling’ Covid-19 social media gaffe

A government media adviser has been called out in question time for sharing a meme joking about Covid-19 ... but the premier admits he’s not sure what a meme is.

A senior government media adviser has been accused of mocking the transmission of coronavirus in a meme posted to her personal Instagram account.

In question time on Thursday, Opposition MP Stephen Mullighan asked Premier Steven Marshall if he believed it was appropriate for adviser Lucy Hinton to post a meme mocking transmission of the virus between South Australia and Victoria.

Mr Mullighan said the meme was posted at a time when more than 20 people have contracted the virus, and one is being treated in intensive care.

“Earlier today, the senior media adviser allocated to the deputy premier, Lucy Hinton, posted a meme featuring a well-known Australian TV character, joking with the text: ‘South Australia after giving Melbourne coronavirus then shutting the border between the two states’, with the character saying ‘I’m so random, I can’t believe I just did that’,” he said.

“Above this post, Ms Hinton had written, quote, ‘So good’, end quote, with three crying laughter emojis.”

Screengrab of a social media post from Liberal media adviser Lucy Hinton.

The well-known character was Ja’mie King, a character played by Chris Lilley, who has featured in a number of the comedian’s television series including Summer Heights High.

In response, Mr Marshall said he had not seen the post but said “we are devastated” with the transmission that has occurred in an Adelaide medi-hotel.

Mr Mullighan followed up by asking what action would be taken about the “appalling” social media post.

“Can the premier explain to the house how his senior adviser could arrive at a perspective that this is a laughing matter, given the the premier has just advised the house that this is indeed a most serious matter?” he said.

The premier again said he had not seen the meme, and added he was “not 100 per cent sure what a meme is”.

Premier Steven Marshall said he’s not 100 per cent sure what a meme is. Artwork/The Advertiser

“It’s interesting that the opposition is not asking about the restrictions or our response in terms of coronavirus, they’re asking questions about social media memes,” he said.

“I think goes to the heart of the level of interest, of political interest, that those opposite have with the coronavirus.”

A government spokesman said the post, which was on the Instagram story function, has since been removed.

“The content which was shared on a social media platform has been deleted,” he said.

Ms Hinton worked as a reporter for Channel Nine in Adelaide before taking up a job with the government last year.