Scott Morrison has hit back at online criticism of his welding technique after a video of him went viral for all the wrong reasons.
While in the Northern Territory, the Prime Minister tried his hand at welding but was captured lifting his face shield up while sparks flew centimetres from his face.
The clip went viral, with Labor using it as a pitch for votes, saying “this is what happens when you take money from TAFE”.
Criticism of Mr Morrison’s welding technique comes in the wake of criticism of his hair-washing technique and ukulele playing.
He hit back at his critics on Monday, saying those things are “not my day job”.
“If people want to have a crack me about that they can … I’ve got a lot to learn if I wanted to do those jobs,” he told 2GB.
“I just think our apprentices and the small businesses that are giving them a go are fantastic.
“And if all the narcs in the bubble want to have a crack at me, well, they can – but what I’m doing is showcasing the great work of our apprentices and small businesses.”
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese joined the chorus of critics on Monday morning on commercial radio.
“If you want someone to weld without a mask on and play a ukulele … kind of … then Scott’s your guy,” he told Nova.
“I think people want him to do his job, and his job was to order enough vaccines and rapid antigen tests. His job was to plan (for) the crisis in aged care.”
Mr Morrison, who is visiting Tasmania on Monday to announce an $86m plan to plant more trees, said in the lead-up to the election he wanted to spend more time with everyday Australians.
“It doesn’t matter whether I’m at a welding shop or whether I’m in a hairdressers, I like to learn and understand what our trainees and apprentices are doing,” he said.
“People want to have a chip at because I’m not a good welder or a good hairdresser, well, that’s not my day job.
“I think it’s sort of a bit passing strange that they never used to say anything about me doing welding or those things that people think are more blokey jobs, but I go and do what young female apprentices are learning to do at a hairdressing salon and they have a crack at me. I think they’re fantastic.
“I think all of our apprentices are fantastic.”
