This was published 8 years ago
Rats in the ranks? Tanya Plibersek left cradling a rat in new Chaser stunt
By James Robertson
In different ways, allegations of disloyalty have shadowed the careers of both challengers for the prime ministership in this election.
So it is perhaps unfortunate for the parties' election campaigns teams that obsess over televisual imagery and its associations that a rat has crashed the campaign not once but twice this week.
After Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met "Splinter" the rat during a shopping centre walk in Sydney on Monday, another rat hit the campaign trail on Thursday.
But at the Sydney Fish Markets Opposition Leader Bill Shorten let his deputy take the initiative.
Tanya Plibersek with Labor leader Bill Shorten - and the rat left at their feet while campaigning.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The animal was delivered in a large Tupperware box lined with newspaper by a member of the Chaser program, which is determinedly generating free publicity for an upcoming election special.
A plant from the show dropped the box at the feet of deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek and Mr Shorten, before making off like they had to take a very pressing phone call.
Ms Plibersek was a natural and lifted the creature out of the box and cradled it.
Mr Shorten petted the creature with a big smile but was careful to make contact using his fingernail. He was reluctant to take a more hands-on role.
Ms Plibersek leaves with the rat left by the Chaser team.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
"He's doing well in Tanya's hands," he said.
A member of the Chaser team was cryptic when asked about the stunt, saying only it was about "the bigger picture".
Ms Plibersek has asked Australians to tell her what to call the rat via Twitter.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
In the end, Ms Plibersek returned it to its plastic cage and escorted it out into her Commonwealth car.
"I want people on Twitter to tell me what we should call it, #electionrat," she told reporters while leaving.
On Monday, the Mr Turnbull unexpectedly encountered Penrith identity Shane "The Rat Man" Mundt, known for keeping the creatures in the hood of his sweatshirt.
Mr Turnbull wore a tentative but amused expression as he petted "Splinter" but also resisted being moved on by his campaigning partner, Fiona Scott MP, from the awkward scene, stopping to inquire after the animal's age and listening to an anecdote about how Splinter cleans his owner's teeth.
The Prime Minister distinguished himself by a whisker as the party leader more at ease around them.