Matt Kean’s cringe-worthy video to celebrate a decade in politics
The funding for a video where the environment minister takes credit for major projects and calls an Atlassian billionaire has been revealed.
NSW
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The funding for a cringe-worthy video that depicted Matt Kean strolling through a quarry, calling Mike Cannon-Brookes and kissing his toddler on the head has been revealed.
The Environment and Energy Minister’s office told The Daily Telegraph on Monday that the advert was not funded by taxpayers.
A Liberal Party spokesman confirmed it was paid for by the party and that these types of videos have been created for other major events.
The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Kean signed off on the whole project and was involved in the creative process of developing the video.
Manly MP James Griffith produced a similar video in 2018 after being in office for more than a year. In his version, he runs along the Manly foreshore wearing a blue ‘Manly Beach’ shirt.
Mr Kean’s version, posted on Facebook, resembles a scene from a satirical TV show rather than a political advert.
The Environment Minister takes a distinctly David Brent turn as he shakes hands, strolls through a quarry and kisses a baby in the video.
2GB’s Ben Fordham labelled the video as ‘cringe-worthy’.
“Ten years ago I was elected to parliament and with your help we’ve been able to make our community and country a place to live,” Mr Kean said to the camera while standing outside parliament.
He lists one of his achievements as ‘rebuilding the Hornsby Hospital’.
During a clip with former chair of Hornsby Hospital medical staff council chair Dr Richard Harris, the pair shake hands before the doctor says: “ I wish we had more politicians like Matt”.
The Minister then claims to have ‘fixed’ Pennant Hills Rd.
The next shot shows the Minister in his car, speaking to Pennant Hills resident Vanessa Erickson who tells him: “Love Northconnex”.
Only last month, the government was blasted because the tunnel was closed when it reached capacity. This caused masses of congestion on the roads during the Easter long weekend. At the time, Transurban said the decision was made to stop 60 metres of gridlock in the underground.
In the next scene, the Environment Minister is captured walking through the Hornsby quarry, which he says will be the Centennial Park of North Sydney.
Anthemic, inspiring music is then played as a drone zooms away from Mr Kean. He is filmed standing overlooking the quarry, hands on his hips beaming across the abyss.
He then touts his work as consumer affairs Minister, noting he was responsible for extending time limits on gift cards.
The advertisement then returns to nature as the Minister, who is wearing slacks, a striped button down shirt and neat jumper, walks through the bush.
The short film then pivots to Mr Kean standing outside an energy plant before Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brookes pops up on screen.
“Congratulations on the energy road map. It is a shot in the arm for our state and will create thousands of jobs in the process,” he said.
The video ends with Mr Kean holding and kissing his son on the cheek.
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