Friendlyjordies: Labor members concerned by leader’s links to YouTube star
There is anxiety within the Labor party over Opposition Leader Jodi McKay’s proximity to a YouTube comedian who last week released a 26-minute diatribe against Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
NSW
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NOTE: The Press Council has partially upheld a complaint about this article. Read the full adjudication here.
Labor MPs have expressed concern about leader Jodi McKay engaging with controversial YouTube star Friendlyjordies, suggesting it was “risky” to be associated with someone who has made controversial statements about mental health and sexual assault.
Despite a view in the party that the popular comedian is able to connect with a large audience — particularly younger voters — the nature of his videos has caused some MPs to raise concerns about their leader engaging with the internet sensation, whose name is Jordan Shanks. Ms McKay was interviewed by Shanks in June.
One view expressed was that by appearing alongside the comedian, the NSW Labor leader has linked herself to his controversial statements.
“It’s just risky, you just don’t need to take that risk,” a Labor source said.
Shanks has amassed 450,000 subscribers on YouTube.
The comedian has interviewed other Labor figures including Kevin Rudd and Kristina Keneally, and recently interviewed NSW Labor MP Kate Washington.
But he has also made controversial comments about allegations of sexual assault, and attacked people over mental illness.
A 26-minute video attacking Deputy Premier John Barilaro over a range of topics including bushfires, brumbies, and water policy had been viewed more than 370,000 times in the six days going live last Monday.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she hasn’t seen Shanks’ videos but criticised anyone who supports “inappropriate and racist” comments.
“I have heard that he has made inappropriate and racist comments about a number of people and I think that’s completely unacceptable,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Shanks did not respond to written questions last night.
In a subsequent phone conversation, his assistant criticised this reporter, before Shanks claimed he did not have access to the questions sent by The Daily Telegraph.
NOTE: The Press Council has partially upheld a complaint about this article. Read the full adjudication here.
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