Newly elected federal opposition leader Angus Taylor has found himself at the centre of fresh mockery following the resurgence of a social media blunder from 2019. The incident, which quickly transformed into a viral internet meme, has returned to haunt Taylor just as he steps into the spotlight of leadership.
Leadership Victory Amidst Party Turmoil
Angus Taylor was elected head of the federal Liberal Party on Friday morning, securing the position of opposition leader after a leadership spill that ousted Sussan Ley merely nine months into her tenure. The 59-year-old politician won the vote 34 to 17, concluding weeks of intense internal conflict over the direction of the opposition.
This leadership change was prompted by alarming polling data showing the coalition's primary vote had plummeted to a record low, even being surpassed by Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. However, Taylor's moment of triumph has been overshadowed by an embarrassing digital mishap from years past.
The Facebook Fail That Went Viral
In 2019, Taylor's official Facebook account commented on one of his own posts with the phrase: 'Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus.' The original post had boasted about creating 1,000 additional parking spaces at Sydney's Campbelltown station, located within his electorate of Hume.
Taylor's team swiftly deleted the self-congratulatory comment, attributing the error to a staff member. Despite this, the phrase ignited a viral sensation across social media platforms. Users began repetitively posting the same comment on Taylor's subsequent updates, turning it into a widespread meme.
'Me whenever I show off my soccer skills: 'Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus',' one individual named Angus posted on X, previously known as Twitter. The meme has roared back to life this week, coinciding with Taylor's resignation from Ley's shadow cabinet shortly after securing the leadership position.
Political Criticism and Internal Chaos
Australia's youngest-ever senator, 21-year-old Charlotte Walker, delivered a brutal critique of the Liberal Party on Thursday, labelling Taylor a 'dud' in a fiery Instagram video. 'I have not been in federal parliament for long, but what I can tell you already is that Angus Taylor is a dud,' she stated.
The clip concluded abruptly with the iconic theme from Curb Your Enthusiasm. In the comments section of her own post, Senator Walker added another jab, writing: 'Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus.' She later remarked, 'Oops sorry forgot I was on my own account,' further mocking the original blunder.
In a statement to Daily Mail, Walker adopted a more serious tone regarding the ongoing saga. 'I'm no fan of Sussan Ley, but it is disheartening to see the Liberals undermine their first female leader from day one,' she expressed.
'Some of the conduct we're seeing from the Liberals, including the blokes meeting to scheme before the funeral of their female former colleague, risks pushing away young women from getting into politics.' Walker also criticised her Liberal counterparts for prioritising party infighting over Senate Estimates, which has been in session since Monday.
Future Direction and Challenges
Liberal senator Jane Hume has been confirmed as Taylor's deputy, solidifying the new leadership team. According to Daily Mail political editor Peter van Onselen, the party is anticipated to shift towards a more conservative direction under Taylor's guidance.
'Angus Taylor's win means that the Liberal Party will return to the core business conservatives expect it to. Immigration, fiscal discipline and possibly a tax reform package will dominate his alternative agenda for government,' van Onselen noted.
However, he issued a warning regarding Taylor's personal capabilities. 'The biggest challenge Taylor will face are his own limitations. He's never been an impressive performer, not as a minister or shadow minister. Opposition leader is a tough job, he'll need to step up to perform the role successfully.'
As Angus Taylor navigates his new role, the resurgence of this social media blunder serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny and rapid spread of digital missteps in modern politics. The viral meme continues to echo through online platforms, highlighting the enduring impact of such errors in the public eye.
