Alexander Downer’s ‘tone deaf’ holiday tweet blasted on social media

An overseas holiday tweet sent by a former Australian politician has triggered a social media storm, with some calling the post “extremely vulgar”.

A holiday tweet made by a former Australian politician has triggered a social media storm, with some calling the post “privileged” and “tone deaf” while others branded it as “extremely vulgar”.

Former minister of foreign affairs Alexander Downer posted an idyllic image of a church in country France where he was “enjoying a week’s break”. Mr Downer, who is now based in London, captioned the photo with “they’ve learned to live with Covid here not lurch from one damaging lockdown to another”. Clearly a subtle swipe at his home country where more than 60 per cent of the population are in lockdown.

But Mr Downer’s post was soon met with a flurry of responses from fellow Australians who claim the tweet was “clueless” and even “repugnant”.

“If there was a prize for tweets devoid of self awareness this would win hands down,” one person wrote.

“I can’t believe somebody exists who is that clueless,” another added.

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer enraged Aussies with this tweet that seemingly took a swipe at his home country.

“He’s unbelievable. Imagine living your life and not being able to relate to people,” another wrote.

“I feel sorry for the French who now have to learn to live with both Covid and Downer.”

Some others quickly pointed out that France hadn’t necessarily “learned” to live with the deadly virus, but had been forced to. This time last year, the country was recording upwards of 30,000 cases each day. Now, that figure bounces anywhere between 15,000-25,000 cases.

Others said that living with the virus was a little easier when a higher percentage of citizens had actually rolled up their sleeves and had the vaccination.

Currently in Australia, just 35 per cent of the entire adult population over the age of 16 is fully vaccinated.

In France, the entire nation’s vaccination status sits at almost 60 per cent.

Former minister of foreign affairs Alexander Downer, who now lives in London. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

It’s not the first time an Aussie pollie has put their foot in it while visiting a foreign land during the pandemic.

In June, a photo of a smiling Scott Morrison visiting an English pub elicited a furious response from many Aussies who have been told they are unlikely to travel overseas until at least mid-2022.

The Prime Minister was in Cornwall in the UK to attend the G7 summit earlier this year, where he met with leaders from other wealthy democratic nations, including the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Australia is not part of the G7 but was invited as a guest along with India, South Korea and South Africa.

During Mr Morrison’s visit, he and his “20-plus personal team” stopped off at the Jamaica Inn hotel for lunch, with the pub posting a picture of the PM to its Facebook page.

This photo of Scott Morrison in UK sparked outrage. Picture: Jamaica Inn

“Pleasure to have the Australian Prime Minister & his 20+ personal team for lunch this weekend. You never know what you might find at Jamaica Inn,” the pub wrote.

But the seemingly innocent post soon turned into a bar fight, with the pub’s Facebook page flooded with comments from angry Australians blasting the “double standards” in the country’s international travel ban.

“Looks like a great restaurant! Sadly it highlights the double standards. ScoMo is trying to tell Australians that UK is Covid riddled and if it wasn’t for him keeping borders completely shut we would all risk a sure death,” one commenter said.

“Parents according to Scott Morrison (ScoMo) are not considered immediate family in Australia. Many are separated from children, partners, parents and grandparents with no road map from the government when we can see them again. We are not allowed to leave and they are not allowed to come. Yet politicians and celebrities travel freely.”

Australia’s international borders have been closed since March 2020, with Australians provided with just a handful of reasons to be able to leave – such as for business.

Qantas have hinted at opening some international routes before Christmas. Picture: Sam Mooy/The Australian.

The Federal Government has continually refused to provide an exact date or target that would allow international travel to resume for Australians, however during the most recent outbreak with the Delta variant of Covid-19 – all eyes are on a reopening of borders once a state or territory hits 80 per cent vaccination.

Prior to that goal, which NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she is focusing her government’s efforts on, the only hint Australians have received was in the federal budget which made it clear overseas travel was not expected to return to anything approaching normal until mid-2022.

However last week, Australian airline Qantas hinted at certain bubbles reopening for international travel in time for Christmas – including routes to Singapore, the UK, US and even Japan.

Time – and jabs – will tell.

– With Ally Foster