In what has already been a torrid week for Australian performing group, The Wiggles, its management company today confirmed reports that negotiations between The Wiggles Pty Ltd and the Coalition had broken down over demands by The National Party in exchange for their agreement to the Federal government’s ‘net zero by 2050’ policy.
Sources from each of the Prime Minister’s Office and The Wiggles Pty Ltd have confirmed that, at the most recent meeting of the parliamentary National Party, the Nationals had resolved that the party’s agreement to the Federal government’s net zero by 2050 policy would, amongst other things, be conditional on changes to The Wiggles’ line-up and repertoire.
While there are differences as to number of elements of the National Party’s demands, those sources from each of the PMO and The Wiggles confirm that the Nationals’ agreement to net zero in 2050 is conditional, first, on the replacement of not only the Yellow Wiggle, but also the Purple Wiggle, and secondly, changes to the lyrics of mainstay musical numbers in The Wiggles’ on-stage repertoire.
A document on National Party letterhead, leaked to beeinbonnet.com, specifies that the Nationals have demanded that the Nationals Deputy Leader, Senator Bridget McKenzie be installed as the new Yellow Wiggle, and that Senator Matt Canavan would become the new Purple Wiggle. In addition, the Nationals have insisted that The Wiggles’ ‘Fruit Salad’ song be titled ‘Coal Power’, and that its chorus should be: ‘Coal Power, Yummy Yummy’. The Nationals also were requesting that The Wiggles re-write the lyrics to their famous ‘Hot Potato’ song, and re-title it ‘Hot Australia, Hot Australia’.
A member of The Wiggles’ inner circle, who is not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed that those demands were included amongst the package of conditions submitted by the Prime Minister’s Office. She also confirmed that The Wiggles were open to each the Senators joining The Wiggles’ line-up, as they understood that each of them could both hold a tune and dance (albeit not at the same time). She added that the addition of Senator Canavan would also allow The Wiggles to resurrect the ‘Wake up, Jeff!’ song (re-titled ‘Wake up, Matt!).
Nevertheless, it is understood that, while the requirement to change lyrics and repertoire was problematic for the group, the PMO and The Wiggles were working towards a compromise position to be submitted back to the Nationals at their next party meeting.
Notwithstanding this progress, the sources from each of the PMO and The Wiggles also confirmed that negotiations broke down over Senator McKenzie’s subsequent insistence that the Yellow Wiggle, whether she herself was on stage or not, come on stage with a shotgun cradled on her right shoulder. Reports that Senator McKenzie also wanted to throw cash into the audiences at regional performances and in marginal Coalition seats have been denied by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Requests for comment by the National Party were referred to the coal industry.
