Jacinta Allan laps up Reddit’s praise for the Metro Tunnel
Amid some dire polling, the Premier has nevertheless become a celebrity among Melbourne’s train lovers. But now they want more.
Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers
The polls haven’t been great of late for Jacinta Allan and her government, but the Premier has nevertheless discovered an audience that devours her political messaging.
On the niche Reddit forum “r/MelbourneTrains”, Allan has become something of a celebrity and one of the community’s most regular posters.
Since the opening of the Metro Tunnel — or “Munnel” as the gunzels of r/MelbourneTrains call it — the Premier has posted four times.
So successful has she been in posting to a mostly uncritical audience for more than a year, it seems Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams wanted in on the fun too.
In two months, the “GabbyWilliamsMP” account has already posted eight times in the r/MelbourneTrains community.
A video posted by the minister on Munnel Eve received a glowing reception, with users telling Ms Williams “Good luck tomorrow!” and that she’d posted a “Very cool video!”.
(Quick sidenote: “Munnel” does appear to be the tunnel’s nickname of choice among the city’s gunzels, despite The Source’s pre-emptive protestations. Surely we could do better.)
The Premier’s most recent address to her loyal subjects was a personal thank you to the forum.
“Hello MelbourneTrains subreddit,” Allan gushed.
“A big shout-out to all my fellow train gunzels and a big thank you … A big thank you to all of you who have backed and supported the Metro Tunnel project, because you’ve understood what it means for the future of our city and state.”
But even in paradise, people want more.
Between all the celebrations, Redditors still wanted a City Loop reconfiguration, an update to Sunday timetables, and most importantly for the Premier to push forward with the Suburban Rail Loop and Melbourne Airport rail link.
At least we have finally found the group of people who want Victoria to spend more.
Got a tip? Let us know: thesource@heraldsun.com.au
Originally published as Jacinta Allan laps up Reddit’s praise for the Metro Tunnel
