Australian politician's comic tumble: From top office to pavement in Canberra's nightlife hub
The "Daily Mail" aired a video last Friday, showing the noted Australian politician lying on the ground, holding his phone to his ear in the Braddon district of Canberra.
Feeling much embarrassment about the situation, Joyce admitted that the incident was "very embarrassing."
The incident happened on one of the more popular streets in Canberra, while the politician was on his way back to his flat from the evening parliament sessions. While on the phone with his wife, he decided to sit on what turned out to be an ill-fated pot plant:
During the phone call, I sat on the edge of the pot plant - I stumbled while engrossed in my conversation and ended up tripping over – said the politician in a statement to the national broadcaster
Following the fall, the politician muttered expletives under his breath prompted by the discomfort from the fall. After completing the call, he stood back up and made his way home.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, stated that Barnaby Joyce needs to address the incident. Initially, he refrained from commenting, expressing that it was a matter of his party.
If I had been aware of being filmed, I would have likely gotten up more swiftly – Joyce responded
The incident swiftly went viral, and various memes started to appear with the politician lying in different locations, such as on the roof of the famous Sydney Opera House. Furthermore, at the scene of the incident, someone chalked the outline of the politician's body on the pavement.
In contrast, opposition leader Peter Dutton expressed that it is distressing that no one offered assistance to the fallen politician:
It's rather sad when people walk by someone who may be in need of help - he said
Other representatives echoed this sentiment - the troubled former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Michael McCormack, noted that "we live in an era where people would rather film someone in need with their phone than extend a helping hand."
