The world of energy supply was rocked to its core this week with the excuse from the NSW treasurer and former climate change minister Matt Kean that the chronic shortages, blackouts and price increases in NSW are not his fault because “I didn’t invade Ukraine”.

Mr Kean comes from a long line of creative excuse-makers throughout the ages, as is exclusively revealed in the Pelican Classic Kean’s Compendium of Handy Excuses for Everyday Occasions.