In seeking to defend the controversial announcement of the knighting of Prince Philip, Prime Minister Tony Abbott only sparked another social media outcry that he was out of touch with modern Australia.
Speaking to reporters at an Australia Day event in Canberra, Mr Abbott said he stood by the decision to award the knighthood the Duke of Edinburgh because “the monarchy has been an important part of Australia’s life since 1788”.
“I’m just really pleased that in his 90s, towards the end of a life of service and duty, we in this country are able to properly acknowledge what he’s done for us,” he said.
But when answering questions about the growing furore over granting the Australian imperial award to the Queen’s own husband, Mr Abbott described the social media outcry as “electronic graffiti” that wasn’t fit for reporting on.
“I think that in the media, you make a big mistake to pay too much attention to social media. You wouldn’t report what’s sprayed up on the walls of buildings and look, as I said, social media has its place, but it’s anonymous,” he told reporters.
“It’s often very abusive and in a sense, it has about as much authority and credibility as graffiti that happens to be put forward by means of IT,” he added.
And naturally, Twitter users took their cue with relish:
(with apologies to #banksy) #electronicgraffiti #zerolikes pic.twitter.com/pdK8tETKk6
— Scott Ludlam (@SenatorLudlam) January 26, 2015
The Australian PM today declared Social Media #electronicgraffiti Don’t worry, he’s hip, he’s cool, he’s jive, he knows what the kids want.
— Neale (@wrongwaygoback) January 26, 2015
WOW! Coalition MPs are vicious about Abbott knighting Prince Philip! #auspol #electronicgraffiti #knightsanddames pic.twitter.com/leZSFeVgoG
— Stephen (@TheAviator1992) January 26, 2015
The HMAS Liberal Party with Admiral-Sir-Majesty Tony at the helm… #electronicgraffiti #knightsanddames #auspol pic.twitter.com/rc3UHFnPpc
— Alicia WanstallBurke (@alicia_j_burke) January 26, 2015
@johnshakespeare artwork for article: #auspol #knightsanddames #electronicgraffiti pic.twitter.com/2S8w28Fnag
— David Marler (@Qldaah) January 26, 2015
I admit… I’ve been giving my virtual spray can a workout. #electronicgraffiti #SirPhilTheGreek @KieraGorden pic.twitter.com/YtGNMinn3G
— Steve Williams (@randomswill) January 26, 2015
#tonyabbott likely to introduce law to jail vandals who engage in #electronicgraffiti by commenting online #auspol
— systemexposure (@systemexposure) January 26, 2015
.@SenatorLudlam street in Fremantle, Nov 2014. #electronicgraffiti pic.twitter.com/Zxj7eCvVuT
— jude (@fudgeh0g) January 26, 2015
@couriermail front page for today (27/01/15) & 1 year ago. #auspol #electronicgraffiti #knightsanddames pic.twitter.com/2FUD8hKntC
— David Marler (@Qldaah) January 26, 2015
Abbott dismisses #SocialMedia as #ElectronicGraffiti. He doesn’t like what we tweet! #AUSpol pic.twitter.com/ea3tBGW0CH
— ☣Barón Emilio Death☢ (@krONik) January 26, 2015
Why does @TonyAbbottMHR have a Twitter account? #electronicgraffiti
— Dame Queen Christina (@ChristineEwing7) January 26, 2015
