Nick Xenophon has released a bizarre advertisement in the form of a rapping music video which toes a thin line between cringeworthy and political mastery.
The 59-year-old SA-Best leader launched his debut campaign ad, which features him singing in an Indian grocery store alongside Bollywood dancers and from a hospital bed.
In his two-minute video the former senator, who is running in a marginal Liberal-held seat, recites a curious rhapsody of political promises for a better future in South Australia.
The leader of the SA-Best party (pictured) launched his debut campaign ad, which features the 59-year-old singing in an Indian grocery store alongside Bollywood dancers and in a hospital bed
In his two-minute video, Mr Xenophon (pictured) recites a curious rhapsody of political promises for a better future in South Australia
‘The state is going backwards, let’s stop that in its tracks. A true-blue caring party, that’s what SA lacks,’ he sings.
‘Stop soaring power prices, kids going interstate. Vote for change with SA-Best, before it’s too damn late.’
Mr Xenophon addresses problems such as government overspending, losing young residents to the lure of other states and the lack of employment opportunities.
His catchy chorus harks back to the very successful ‘It’s Time’ jingle used by Labor ahead of Gough Whitlam’s victory at the 1972 federal election, minus the celebrities.
The low-budget advertisement stars a number of Mr Xenophon’s 36 candidates who sing the hook of the political rap.
‘We’re the best, we’re SA-Best, come on and put us to the test,’ the ensemble of crooners sing.
‘Make a change in the nick of time, forget the rest, vote SA-best.’
With an assortment of characters, including a robber, he tries to get across the message it’s time to break up the two-party duopoly.
SA-Best is planning to run candidates in more than 35 seats in the March 17 poll, where Labor is seeking a fifth consecutive term to extend its time in power to 20 years.
Mr Xenophon said his new campaign material may be ‘cheesy’, but it is not ‘poisonous, unlike ads from the major parties,’ The Australian reports.
Mr Xenophon addresses problems such as government overspending, losing young residents to the lure of other states and the lack of employment opportunities
Mr Xenophon (pictured) said his new campaign material may be ‘cheesy’, but it is not ‘poisonous, unlike ads from the major parties’
‘I’m trying to get across that all of the other political advertising is relentlessly negative and toxic, and the state does have problems, but there’s a positive way through it, and I think that is the message,’ he said.
‘It’s befitting a man who is wearing a $99 suit. I take my job very seriously in what I try to achieve, but I don’t take myself too seriously, unlike a lot of politicians.’
The music video has attracted a divided opinion over whether Mr Xenophon was hit by a stroke of genius or temporary lunacy.
‘There is nothing good or funny or clever or even original about that Nick Xenophon ad. It just proves they are complete clowns who shouldn’t receive your vote. This is serious, you fools,’ one person wrote on Twitter.
The music video has attracted a divided opinion over whether Mr Xenophon (pictured) was hit by a stroke of genius or temporary lunacy
‘Quality choreography by Nick Xenophon. Gotta laugh along with the rest of SA-Best,’ another said.
Others have slammed Mr Xenophon for ’embarrassing’ South Australia with the advert.
‘SA is great. I love it. Haven’t been there for years… Adelaide is a very nice city. Xenophon is an idiot,’ one woman said.
‘He’s a pathetic piece of work just like Leon Byner takes every opportunity to knock SA,’ another wrote.
Mr Xenophon is polling strongly in the Liberal-held seat of Hartley, in Adelaide’s east, which he hopes to take off rookie Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia.
His SA-Best party could potentially decide who forms the next government in South Australia.