Liberal politician and former tennis pro John Alexander is under fire after making an ill-advised joke poking fun at disabled people during his by-election victory speech.
The 66-year-old took to the stage alongside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to celebrate his political triumph in Bennelong, and recalled an anecdote about using a disabled parking sticker.
Alexander was reflecting on his golden years as a tennis professional when he told the crowd he was once eligible for a disability parking permit following a back injury – but said he had ‘too much pride’ to use it.
The 66-year-old (pictured) took to the stage alongside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to celebrate his political triumph in Bennelong, and recalled an anecdote about using a disabled parking sticker
Turnbull (left) stood awkwardly alongside Alexander (right) as he made the offensive gaffe
The crowd roared with cheers as he mentioned he was once 14th in the world – but his next joke only drew a smattering of awkward laughter.
‘My doctor at the time said, you have eligibility for a disabled sticker, and I said: “I still have some pride”,’ Alexander told the group of Liberal supporters.
‘That was before I entered politics,’ he added. ‘But sorry… I digress.’
Turnbull appeared to chuckle only slightly at Alexander’s gaffe which was swiftly slammed on social media.
Dozens of unimpressed voters have condemned the former tennis champion’s ‘ableist’ quip, labelling it ‘disgraceful’, and have called for Alexander to publicly apologise.
‘My doctor at the time said, you have eligibility for a disabled sticker, and I said: “I still have some pride”,’ Alexander (pictured right with the PM) told the group of Liberal supporters
Dozens of unimpressed voters have condemned the former tennis champion’s ‘ableist’ quip, labelling it ‘disgraceful’, and have called for Alexander to publicly apologise.
Disabled Greens member Senator Jordon Steele-John took to Twitter to blast Alexander for the offensive jibe at disabled citizens.
‘Those who use the ACROD card (like me) have nothing to be ashamed of. Those who peddle the idea that disability [equals] weakness, do. Apologize. Now,’ Senator Steele-John said.
‘I sympathise with the need to have a disabled parking sticker, as I have one too and need it. The suggestion that we have no pride because our disability got the better of us is insulting, ignorant and just bloody rude,’ one woman wrote.
Angry voters have taken to social media to blast Alexander for his comments
‘What an absolute scumbag’: This woman was unimpressed by Alexander’s disabled joke
‘What happens when a washed-up athlete tried to regale the crowd’: This woman was disgusted by Alexander’s remarks
‘Did John Alexander just suggest that people with Disabled Parking Stickers should have… no pride? What an absolute scumbag,’ another said.
‘John Alexander’s disgraceful comment about disabled person’s permits was incredibly offensive and what happens when a washed up athlete tried to regale a crowd,’ one person said on Twitter.
Federal member for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite told journalist Alice Workman that the remark ‘could be somewhat disrespectful to people with disabilities’.
Alexander won the seat of Bennelong in Saturday’s by-election against Labor candidate Kristina Keneally.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted a representative for John Alexander for comment.