South Australia’s premier has joked about cutting carbs after he saw shirtless photos of the Opposition Leader circulating on social media over the weekend.
The state’s Labor leader Peter Malinauskas on Saturday called a press conference to announce an election promise to build a new $80m Adelaide Aquatic Centre if he wins the upcoming state election next month.
During the media call, the 41-year-old stripped down to his blue boardshorts and played in the public pool with his daughter Eliza alongside the ALP candidate for Adelaide Lucy Hood and her son.
However, it wasn’t the election promise that had South Australians talking.
The fit father of three showed off his abs and biceps that later prompted Steven Marshall to joke about cutting carbs.
“Look, it’s great when people look after themselves and stay healthy, but he’s clearly got a bit more time on his hands than I have,” he told ABC Radio on Monday.
“There’s no Putin-style campaigning from me I can guarantee. I’m just focused on the key issues of South Australia but, yes, I did have to hang my head in shame when that photo went up.
“I thought to myself this morning, ‘Right, that’s it, no more carbs’.”
Mr Malinauskas said the fit-for-purpose centre would replace the existing ageing facility at North Adelaide that was first built in 1969.
He announced the new centre would include at a minimum an inside 50m lap pool, splashdown play spaces, and health and wellbeing services.
Each year more than 955,000 people use the aquatic centre and that figure is estimated to grow to 1.3 million within a decade.
“We know that if people are more physically active, they are less likely to need to present at hospital, which in turn eases the burden on our health system,” Mr Malinauskas said.
Following the announcement on Saturday, social media users responded to Mr Malinauskas’ announcement with mixed reviews as well as comments on his physique.
“You could cover the cost for the new aquatic centre by charging for tickets to your gun show,” one person said.
“Great photo of your guns, but health and education more important,” another posted.
“Those guns. Keep up the great work Peter!” a third wrote.
“Looking fairly shredded there Peter,” a fourth said.
