Joe Hockey has come under fire after joking with two young journalists about their age during questioning about same-sex marriage.
Two journalists from the ABC and Sky News approached the Treasurer as he exited a press gallery office.
Mr Hockey tried to decline questions on marriage equality, following his comments that “no one party should own” the changes during Question Time.
When asked for clarification, he instead told the journalists to “work it out” before turning the discussion to their age.
“God, you guys – look how young you are,” he said.
“Are you 18? Are you, are both of you 18? Seriously, get a look at his face. Get a look at this.”
The journalists then try to return to questions, amid laughter from the Treasurer over asking for identification.
He assured them that he was taking them seriously, but avoided answering any questions.
“What’s going on?” he said.
“I don’t know what you guys are up to. Maybe I’m getting old. I mean, I’m, taking you seriously, but.”
His behaviour has since been criticised by his Labor counterpart Chris Bowen, but Mr Hockey’s behaviour is not dissimilar to that displayed by Kevin Rudd in recent years.
The former Prime Minister made headlines in 2010, when he turned discussion from politics to fashion when questioned by a then 26-year-old ABC journalist.
When asked about leadership rumblings, Mr Rudd instead commented on the journalist’s clothing.
“That's a point of language which you have used which is dramatically consistent with the dress which you have chosen today,” he said.
“It's a great tie, it's a nice hat. I like it a lot.”
Share
