Grace Grace dances with The Wiggles as part of electricity safety campaign

Queensland taxpayers will pay The Wiggles almost half a million dollars for a new campaign that will teach kids about electrical safety. Minister Grace Grace joined that action at this morning’s launch.

Queensland taxpayers will pay children’s entertainment group The Wiggles almost half a million dollars for a new campaign that will teach kids about electrical safety.

Flanked by The Wiggles on Saturday morning, Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace unveiled a new song with the group and danced along to the catchy tune.

The song, called Electricity, will form part of a new safety campaign with the state’s Electrical Safety Office that will run through to 2025.

“I have an adult child who is 28 years old who was a big fan of The Wiggles and I think made them as popular as they are today,” Ms Grace said.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace joined by The Wiggles to launch a new song and electrical safety campaign. Picture: Liam Kidston

“As a proud parent of a Wiggles-viewing child, I’m very glad to be here to announce this fantastic partnership.

“They have driven their Big Red Car all the way up to Queensland for a debut performance of their brand new song called Electricity.”

Ms Grace’s office confirmed the state government would pay The Wiggles $150,000 per year over the next three years for the campaign – totalling $450,000.

The money will be drawn from the existing advertising budget of the Electrical Safety Office.

Mr Grace described the deal as “fantastic value for money”, saying the campaign would reach millions of people.

“I’ve seen the song ... and I’m already humming it and singing it in my head,” the Minister said.

“I’m hopeful that it will be a great big smash hit, like Fruit Salad.”

Grace Grace helps out The Wiggles as they launch a new song teaching children about electricity.

The minister wasn’t afraid to join in with Purple Wiggle Lachlan Gillespie.

Between January 2018 and December 2020, there were 50 episodes of a child under the age of 13 being admitted for patient care at a Queensland Health facility after being exposed to an electric current.

Simon from The Wiggles said the group wanted parents to use the song as a tool to teach their children about electricity and safety measures.

“I’ve got a two-year-old,” he said.

“Now I understand first-hand the desire for a child to stick things in power points – fingers, anything at all.

“So this song is about education. It’s about teaching.”

Ms Grace said electricity can be “dangerous” even if it is not obviously visible.

The Wiggles launch a new song and electrical safety campaign at Boondall. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Unfortunately kids do get hurt around electricity, and mainly that’s from faulty electrical wires, faulty devices,” she said.

The Minister said the government would use the song on social media as part of an advertising campaign.

“Part of the deal is to give free tickets away to go to Wiggles concerts as part of the social media interaction,” Ms Grace said.