Liberal MP Tim Wilson’s colouring-in book a crayon too far: O’Brien

AN MP’s push to have his political colouring-in book in schools and old folks’ homes is out of line, writes Susie O’Brien.

LIBERAL MP Tim Wilson has defended spending taxpayer money to produce a colouring-in book featuring pictures of himself on almost every page for schools in his electorate. Picture: Tim Wilson/Facebook

TAXPAYERS shouldn’t have to pay for a colouring-book showing images of Liberal MP Tim

Wilson to be distributed in schools.

It’s not because he’s gay, it’s because he’s arrogant.

I don’t care that one of the images shows him and his male partner Ryan walking their two dogs Ella and Louis in the park.

That’s not the problem. The issue is that the colouring-in book is a complete waste of money and a pathetic bid at publicity by Wilson.

Taxpayers have paid for Mr Wilson’s colouring-in book. Picture: Tim Wilson/Facebook

What’s the next edition of Commonwealth colouring going to include?

Kelly O’Dwyer handing out pictures while she’s changing her baby’s nappy?

Julie Bishop going for a run in the latest Lululemon outfit?

The Prime Minister drinking beers while babysitting at the footy?

Mr Wilson has produced a colouring-in book featuring pictures of himself. Picture: Tim Wilson/Facebook

Surely Wilson has better things to do than waste our money and his attention on such dross.

Wilson says the colouring-in book, which has been distributed to schools and aged-care homes in his southeast electorate, is to educate people about how “amazing” the area is.

Mr Wilson features on almost every single page of the book. Picture: Tim Wilson/Facebook

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So why does it include pictures of Uluru and Broome, among other places?

And why does it include images of him on just about every page?

The 15,000 copies of the book were paid for out of Wilson’s publicly-funded electoral allowance.

This is certainly not appropriate for schools; not because of the picture showing two gay men, but because school kids shouldn’t have blatantly political messages distributed to them.

It’s not about social engineering, it’s about electioneering in schools, which is illegal.

Mr Wilson defends the book. Picture Kym Smith

I certainly don’t buy the conspiracy-theory line that says Wilson has deliberately chosen this time to release the books in a bid to brainwash kids through the normalisation of gay relationships. Nor do I think it’s got anything to do with the same sex ballot currently underway.

I believe Wilson when he says the books were ordered before the ballot was called.

But I think the whole thing stinks.

This kind of self-centred, self-important self-promotion is the main reason the average punter has lost all respect for politicians.

The book is being given out in schools and old folks’ homes. Picture: Tim Wilson/Facebook

If Wilson honestly thinks this kind of book, which will just sit gathering dust in schools and old folks’ homes, is a genuinely good use of funds, then he doesn’t deserve to be in parliament.

Ms O’Brien says Mr Wilson’s book is a publicity bid. Picture: AAP

It comes as similar extravagances have been uncovered in recent days, including Victorian

Premier Dan Andrews, who has spent $281,000 promoting the Premier’s Facebook page.

We just want our MPs to get on with making decisions to support us, not merely to promote themselves.

@susieob

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