Bill Shorten’s Budget 2016 reply speech mocked over Beaconsfield mine reference

BILL Shorten may have offered $71 billion in savings last night, but something else grabbed the attention of viewers.

Australian Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten celebrates after delivering the 2016-17 Federal Budget Reply speech in the House of Representatives. Picture: Sam Mooy/AAP

HE may have offered $71 billion in Budget savings in his speech last night, but it’s a comment harking back to his role in a mining disaster that raised eyebrows.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has been mocked on social media after invoking the Beaconsfield mining disaster during his Budget reply speech.

Mr Shorten, who was the then-national secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, last night spoke about Australia being a “nation of courage, community and compassion.”

But it was what he said next which raised some eyebrows on Twitter.

“This is the Australia I witnessed at Beaconsfield, a decade ago,” the Opposition leader said.

“At Black Saturday, and through the Brisbane floods. It is the Australia I’ve had the privilege of representing my entire working life – standing up for people, every day.

“An Australia enlarged by all who call it home. Striving for the best, but caring for each other. An Australia of common effort and shared reward.”

Mr Shorten was regarded as the human face of the 2006 mining disaster and was soon propelled into the national spotlight.

He soon became the spokesman for the recovery effort and was widely praised at the time for his passionate performance.

Mr Shorten gives the thumbs as he receives applause. Picture: Stefan Postles/Getty Images.

While Mr Shorten’s Budget speech earned a round of applause by those in Parliament, others were questioning why Mr Shorten chose to reference Beaconsfield in it.

Bill Shorten references Beaconsfield mining disaster. "Where's the helicopter" heckles liberal mp

— Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) May 5, 2016

Did Shorten really mention Beaconsfield?

— Nick Casmirri (@ncasmirri) May 5, 2016

Just audible jeers as Shorten mentions Beaconsfield #BudgetReply

— Mitchell Neems (@mitchneems) May 5, 2016

Shorten plays the Beaconsfield card...#budgetr

— trebase (@_rebase) May 5, 2016

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison appear unimpressed with the Opposition Leader’s Budget reply speech. Picture: Stefan Postles/Getty Images.

However, others applauded the reference, and saw no issue with Mr Shorten’s Beaconsfield mention, given the recent 10-year anniversary of the disaster.

My dad hasn't paid attention to Shorten as OL but he remembers him as "that guy from the Beaconsfield collapse"

— Trisha Jha (@themetresgained) May 5, 2016

Channel 7 had more people at Beaconsfield than the Howard Govt did, and yet the Libs booed Shorten during #BudgetReply

— Wolf Cocklin (@wolfcat) May 5, 2016

Smart of Shorten to nod back to Beaconsfield: the last time he looked like a leader. #BudgetReply

— Jill Stark (@jillastark) May 5, 2016

Others pointed out at least he was there at all when the Liberal Howard Government wasn’t.

#LNP mocked Shorten for bringing up Beaconsfield- but not one Howard Gov. Minister lent a hand #BudgetReply #auspol pic.twitter.com/jcWAX59pHp

— Travis (@teakingw) May 5, 2016

Libs booing Shorten mentioning Beaconsfield, wow you guys are cold #BudgetReply

— Wolf Cocklin (@wolfcat) May 5, 2016

The Beaconsfield mining disaster made global headlines and propelled rescued miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell into the national psyche.

While the disaster wasn’t the worst on our nation’s record, Beaconsfield is best remembered for its tale of survival, determination, and Aussie spirit, which captivated people across the nation and overseas.

Rescued miners Todd Russell (front) and Brant Webb wave upon their rescue after being trapped for 13 days underground at Beaconsfield Gold Mine in Northern Tasmania.

When a 2.2-magnitude earth tremor shook the ground on April 25, 2006, 17 miners were down the shaft.

Fourteen men escaped immediately, but Larry Knight, 44, who was at the controls of a cherry picker-like machine was killed in the rock fall.

Webb and Russell were in a basket at the end of a telescopic arm, attaching wire mesh to tunnel walls about 1km underground, trapped by 800 tonnes of rock, while no one had a clue if they were alive.

Excavations first found Mr Knight’s body and then, five days after the rock fall, workers heard the cries of the survivors.

The two men were finally rescued on May 9 in a painstaking process which took two weeks.

Mr Shorten was one of the many people who flocked to the mine site awaiting progress of the rescue effort.

Speaking about the disaster last week, Mr Shorten told AAP: “This disaster gave Australians a glimpse of the nation that people don’t think exists anymore.

“I got to see brave people, determined people, everyday people never give up, and I was privileged to play a small role on this remarkable story.”