A former private schoolboy who appeared alongside Josh Frydenberg in a promotional photo has revealed the brutal truth behind their seemingly innocent encounter.
Dom Weber was on his way to school in June 2016 when he bumped into Mr Frydenberg, then the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, at Camberwell train station, in Melbourne’s inner east.
Hours later, the now-treasurer shared a photo of him talking to the youth on Twitter, writing: ‘he might be too young to vote but’s it’s nice to get good feedback’.
But despite the post insinuating the pair had a positive chat, Mr Weber has revealed that was far from the truth.
A former private schoolboy who was pictured next to Josh Frydenberg in 2016 (pictured together) has revealed the brutal truth he delivered to the then Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia
Resharing the historic tweet on Thursday, Mr Weber said the image actually captured him telling Mr Frydenberg he was the ‘last’ person he would list on a ballot sheet.
‘Throwback to this classic moment when I told @JoshFrydenberg that if I could vote I would be putting him last,’ Mr Weber wrote.
‘Six years later and I’m still putting you last Joshy boy!’
The post has gone viral as dozens of Aussies praised Mr Weber for sharing his side of story – just weeks before the May 21 federal election.
Some suggested the timing was a strategical move on Mr Weber’s behalf, with many left bemused by the very different portrayals of the single event.
‘Best tweet this election,’ one person said.
‘Josh has an interesting interpretation of good feedback,’ a woman wrote alongside a smirk emoji.
Dom Weber on Wednesday revealed he told Mr Frydenberg (pictured together) he would be his last preference
‘Wait, so he used your pic to publicise himself even though you said that?’ someone else said.
”Good feedback’…So he agreed that ppl should be putting him last then,’ a fourth comment read.
Another person responded: ‘Well, he didn’t say what the feedback was, did he? He just had himself pictured with a young kid in a private school blazer and left the rest to interpretation..’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Frydenberg’s office for comment.
The revelation comes as Mr Frydenberg fights to retain his position as the Member for the Victorian seat of Kooyong, following a public stoush with independent candidate Monique Ryan.
After whipping up a social media frenzy, Mr Weber revealed 24 hours later he was planning to vote for Mr Frydenberg’s bitter rival next month.
Mr Frydenberg (pictured) is fighting to keep his position as member for the seat of Kooyong
‘Well this went further than I thought it would. Thanks for the kind words, and for those who’ve been telling me to get a job,’ he commented on his post on Thursday.
‘Oh and for who I’m voting number one? this one’s for you @Mon4Kooyong.’
The Treasurer rejected an invitation by climate advocacy group, Lighter Footprints, to a debate with Dr Ryan and other contenders on Wednesday night.
He claimed the event was essentially a ‘campaign rally’ for Dr Ryan, who is running on policies proposing climate change action.
‘It would be akin to me going and debating them in front of their own campaign rally which I’m not about to give them that free kick to do,’ Mr Frydenberg told radio station SEN this week.
On Thursday, Dr Ryan hit back at Mr Frydenberg who has repeatedly accused her of being a ‘fake independent’.
Mr Frydenberg has spent the past few weeks in a public stoush with his rival, Kooyong independent candidate Monique Ryan (pictured)
‘He can say what he likes about me … but I could no longer be complicit with the government’s inaction on climate change,’ she told ABC’s Radio National.
‘Mr Frydenberg doesn’t understand the power of the community movement that I represent.’
Dr Ryan had previously declined to take part in a televised debate with Mr Frydenberg on Channel 9, prompting the treasurer to demand she ‘front up’.
‘I’m the Treasurer, I’m subject to interviews every single day, they (Dr Ryan) are not, and they are hiding,’ Mr Frydenberg said on Tuesday.
‘The fake independents have no detailed policies they have no costings, they’re not telling the local community in Kooyong how they will vote in the event of a hung parliament.’
Dr Ryan said she turned down the offer because it was in Docklands, not Kooyong, but has agreed to a similar debate via Sky to be held within their electorate next week.
Mr Weber later commented on his post, revealing he will be voting for Dr Ryan this year
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