When we think about what we want from of our politicians, usually the big issues come to mind. We want to talk about health care and education, infrastructure and climate change. We want to hear their stance on tackling inequality and disadvantage.
But over the weekend, one particular politician thought there was a more pressing issue: toilets.
Yep. Today in ‘Pauline Hanson’s adventures,’ the One Nation leader has recorded a quirky interview telling viewers squat toilets will ruin their way of life.
In a video shared via her Facebook page, Hanson argued the Australian Tax Office’s decision to install squat toilets at one of its offices in Victoria is “totally confusing.” She said that if “they don’t know how to use a toilet …what the hell is going on?!”
If she hadn't just secured a six-year Senate term, and wasn't playing a role in making major political decisions, along with her three other One Nation colleagues in Parliament, it might even be funny.
Hanson scoffs while she says the ATO are putting in squat toilets "because over 20 per cent of their staff is from a non-English speaking background." HA! Making concessions for people because of cultural differences! What has Australia come to?!
Then she adds that people don't know how to use our toilets at the ATO, but also "at our parks, convention centres, in the Aussie homes...everywhere else."
Hanson thinks we're going to turn into a country run by squat toilets. No longer will we be able to sit upon our beautiful ivory thrones. No longer will we be able to relax on our toilet seat, reading the paper, and thinking of our best ideas. NO LONGER will people in the Western world develop primary constipation because the sitting position is not actually conducive to healthy bowel elimination. NO LONGER.
But perhaps the strangest part of the video is when she makes a joke at the end about how difficult it is to do your taxes.
"I know what's more confusing," she says passionately. "And it's definitely not using the squat toilet."
"It's doing our tax!"
And then she smiles like this:
I know that face. It's the face of a person who thinks they've made a really, really compelling argument, even though the person they're talking to is looking at them like this:
It didn't stop with the video. Hanson engaged with commenters on her Facebook page to further argue her point.
When asked how much this would cost the Australian tax payer, Hanson replied "It's not just a matter of dollars. It starts with toilets and ends with costing us our Australian way of life."
Top Comments
Really. We're spreading xenophobia and fear mongering over toilets now. In one Government office.
Conservatism's victim culture. Take a decision of relatively questionable important and find some way it supposedly victimized the privlidged.
Conservativism is shameful
She raises an interesting point, why in 2016 Australia do offices now need to provide instructions on how to use a toilet and if you are having difficulty working out how to use a western toilet, how did you get hired in the first place ?
I predict the next wave of office education will be on social hygiene as there now appear to be a high volume of workers who do not seem to be aware that you need to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Welcome to the 21st century Australia, not that different from 16th century except now you can use a mobile phone while sitting on a toilet, who doesn't love progress ?
Most job don't require you to demonstrate how to use a western toilet as a part of the job interview. Are you in an industry that requires this as a pre-requisite skill?
No, but I am required to clean them and it is not a pretty sight, I will have a word with HR and see if they can raise the bar on their hiring policy to include the ability to use a sit-down toilet