The Sauce: Swearing senator Andrew Bragg defends dropping F-bombs

Videos doing the rounds this week show Andrew Bragg dropping an expletive but the senator doesn’t believe anyone gives a you know what? Also, which council has embroiled in a photoshopping ‘scandal’. Don’t miss The Sauce.

Senator Andrew Bragg has defended his use of swear words, declaring “people f--king swear”.

The comment to The Sauce followed video clips of the moderate Liberal circulating among journalists this week of Bragg dropping f-bombs on camera.

Bragg was also accused of dropping the c-bomb on Anzac Day, but he declared it was actually dropped two days earlier on April 23.

Back to the f-bombs, two videos that arrived in our inbox appear to show Bragg swearing at himself while attempting to film a piece to camera.

“Ah f--k,” he says in the first video.

In the second clip, a more animated Bragg growls “f-- k you” before jumping and clapping with an “arrrrggghhhh”.

Andrew Bragg says there is no need to apologise for his swearing. ‘Who cares?” he says. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

It is unclear if this was Bragg nailing the piece to camera, or stuffing it up again.

“Yeah, I’m guilty of swearing, People swear. I also said f --k in the Senate. Who cares,” he said, referencing a speech he made in 2020 on the need to allow workers the freedom to choose their own superannuation fund.

Clearly not the 539 Liberal Party preselectors who on Saturday voted to re-elect Bragg to lead the Senate ticket at the next federal election.

However, shockwaves were sent through the Liberals at a decision by preselectors to install right-winger Jessica Collins in second positions, pushing out incumbent Senator Hollie Hughes from the centre-right faction.

While the right were claiming a major win, the left claimed it was the result of a larger and less factional state council.

CAMERA NEVER LIES

It’s not just the royals embroiled in a photoshopping scandal – Liverpool City Council has also faced questions on social media about its latest councillor portrait.

Not only is everyone wearing the same outfit in the most recent photo as they were back in the 2021 version, one councillor has been left with a “dead” hand.

The photo with Nathan Hagarty.

The photo without Nathan Hagarty.

The Sauce asked Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun about the obvious photoshop, who ‘fessed up straight away.

Not only had the council lost one of its members – Nathan Hagarty – to state parliament since the last shoot, another councillor had been unwell for a period of time and it was not clear if they would be able to make a shoot, he said.

With the local government elections just months away – and a possible new crop of councillors elected, it was easier – and cheaper – to crop out Hagarty until a new formal pic could be taken, Mannoun explained.

“We aren’t the only ones photoshopping these days,” he said, before adding a new shoot would be sorted after the September elections.

TORTURED TREASURER

With the latest carve-up of the GST set to rob the State of $1.9bn next financial year, it is no wonder Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has turned to Taylor Swift for inspiration as he puts the finishing touches on the June State Budget.

While the last Budget was penned to a soundtrack of hip-hop artists such as Chance the Rapper, The Sauce can reveal Mookhey has gone for a mellower vibe this year as scours the balance sheets for additional cuts (thanks Jim!).

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has been listening to some mellower vibes. Picture: NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Of the songs on his 2024-25 Budget Playlist, Swift’s “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” from her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, is on the highest rotation.

We can just imagine Mookhey singing along with Swift as he tweaks the forward estimates: “I cry a lot but I am so productive … it’s an art”.

Beyonce is also on Mookhey’s playlist. Picture: Getty Images

Also on Mookhey’s Budget playlist is the latest Beyonce album, Cowboy Carter.

The album includes the hit “Texas Hold’Em” – a fitting song for a high-stakes budget given it is also the name of a poker game.

Mookhey still has time for some rap, with Childish Gambino – the musical alter ego of American artist Donald Glover – completing the soundtrack.

Mookhey will hand down his second Budget on June 18.

NEW PROJECT

Television and radio presenter Tom Tilley has embarked on a new career path.

Tom Tilley has moved to the government. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

The Sauce can reveal the former Triple J Hack program host, occasional panellist on The Project and 2016 finalist in Cosmopolitan’s Bachelor of the Year has joined the Minns government as a ministerial staffer.

Tilley, 43, who also co-hosted the Triple M’s Summer Breakfast show with Harley Breen and Candice Warner, is working for Special Minister of State John Graham as a speechwriter and an adviser.

As Graham also holds the Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism portfolios – all very public-facing roles – it was decided the office call in an extra wordsmith.

If the laughs Graham received after his address to the Comedy Festival were anything to go by, Tilley was the right person for the job.

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Originally published as The Sauce: Swearing senator Andrew Bragg defends dropping F-bombs