Q&A: Crowd-funding campaign raises thousands for Duncan Storrar

Duncan Storrar with his daughters Indica, 8 and Jakaylah-Rose, 6, at their home in Geelong, Victoria. Picture: David Geraghty

Should the prime minister be curious as to what bothers the average Australian, he need look no further than Duncan.

A crowd-funding campaign to buy this guy a $6000 toaster has raised more than $38,000 in 24 hours, and that’s despite claims, now being checked, that Duncan doesn’t deserve a cent of your support. “I know him personally ... take back ur (your) money he doesn’t deserve it,’’ writes a woman who claims to know Duncan.

That’s a heavy accusation, but first: what’s this about a $6000 toaster?

Well, Duncan Storrar was the battler in the audience on the ABC’s Q&A on Monday night, dressed in the off-white hoodie, the bad teeth and the scratchy beard.

He claimed to have a mild disability and he’s not well-educated, so he’s been low-paid all his life.

Duncan asked the panel of finely-attired politicians and businesspeople why the wealthy were getting an equivalent of a tax-cut in the Budget, when a tax-cut would change his life. He’d be able to tell the kids that “Dad’s not broke, and we can go to the pictures’’.

The panel reacted with the kind of Dickensian heartlessness that is hard to fathom.

Innes Willox, who used to work for Alexander Downer and is now with the Australian Industry Group, was the most withering, telling Duncan that he probably didn’t pay any tax anyway.

Indeed, it turns out Duncan pays no net tax and relies on Austudy payments after a difficult life marked by ill health.

Duncan may not have had Willox’s polish — his oyster-silk tie was probably worth more than Duncan makes in a month — but he refused to be bullied.

With great dignity, he replied that he paid tax every time he went to the supermarket.

Next up was cabinet minister Kelly O’Dwyer — relaxed and comfortable in what looked like crepe Carla Zampatti — who told Duncan that her government was pleased to be offering support to a cafe owner with $2 million annual turnover, to assist with the purchase of a $6000 toaster.

Viewers with a $12 Kmart number that burns one side and leaves the other side raw were agog. For the record, the $6000 toaster is the type you find in the Qantas lounge, as if Duncan’s ever been in the Qantas lounge.

Never has the disconnect between the rule-makers and those they’re meant to serve been so stark.

Many in the audience took umbrage, and by Tuesday night, there was a Go-Fund Me page in Duncan’s honour, set up by a guy called Samuel Slammer Fawcett, who demonstrates the kind of dry wit for which Australians are famous.

“Duncan seems like a good bloke,’ he wrote, “We reckon he deserves a bit of a helping hand so we’ve decided to buy him a new toaster. Six grand oughta cover it. And if he has a little bit left over, maybe he can take his kids to the movies or something.”

The public had a big belly laugh, then put hand in pocket, and the $6000 target was reached with ease. It’s still climbing as we speak, and what’s remarkable is that it’s climbing despite claims made very early on by a woman called Tamika Drew, who says she’s known Duncan since she was seven-years-old: “I don’t want people to waste away there (sic) money.’’

Tamika, who has been contacted for comment, warns people not to give money, making a number of so far unsubstantiated claims saying: “... I know him personally … take back ur (your) money he doesnt deserve it.’’

She added: “did not wish to leave a hateful comment … i just care for all of you and i am not against the cause just the advocate i wanted people to know from both sides and be safe with their money’’.

What’s interesting is that while some punters immediately shied from the cause, others don’t care. They’re still giving, with some saying they were still happy to support a bloke prepared to take his message to the masters; and with others saying “I believe every one is entitled to adequate income and access to services — irrespective of their situation.’’

The quick response to Duncan’s plight — or, more accurately, to the plight of his kids — is the clearest window into what the public considers important in this campaign.

The tax eligibility or otherwise of the $6000 toaster isn’t it.

The fact that Duncan’s kids can’t go to the pictures? That’s not something Australians want to walk by. Because, come on, and fair go. Whatever’s up with the parents, the kids aren’t to blame.