Play School star Rhys Muldoon sacked from his Labor staffer role over tweets about Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
A well-known Australian actor turned Labor staffer has been sacked following controversial tweets made before he began working in politics.
The sacking of an Australian celebrity turned Labor staffer over vile tweets made several years ago is justified, the prime minister says.
Former Play School presenter Rhys Muldoon lost his job on Tuesday over comments he posted to social media calling Jacinta Nampijinpa Price a “quisling” three years ago.
He levelled the insult - meaning a traitor who helps their enemies take over - against the Indigenous Liberal frontbencher because of her ‘no’ stance during the voice referendum.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The term originated from Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian politician who helped Nazi Germany and was later executed by a firing squad for high treason.
Muldoon had been working for Tasmanian Labor first-term senator Richard Dowling since July.
His employer was not aware of the offensive tweets until media reporting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in Question Time.
Muldoon was sacked from his casual contract shortly after.
“The comments are completely unacceptable, and Senator Dowling has taken immediate action, and that’s appropriate,” Mr Albanese said.
In another post he used a racist slur. Muldoon also described News24 presenter and Tony Abbott’s former chief of staff Peta Credlin as a “strap on” for the Liberals.
Senator Dowling called the posts abhorrent.
The 60-year-old has had an extensive career in Australian television and stage since the early 1990s, including 12 years at Play School, as a lead on Lockie Leonard and Bay of Fires, and in productions for the Sydney Theatre Company.
Muldoon has also been involved in politics for some time, including door-knocking for Labor and collaborating with former trade union boss Sally McManus.
He co-authored the 2010 children’s book Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle with then-prime minister Kevin Rudd.
In a picture shortly before the 2022 federal election, still on Muldoon’s Instagram, he appears with Mr Albanese above the caption: “It’s time”. Another shows Muldoon kissing the prime minister’s cheek.
At the time of reporting, the X account appeared to have been removed.
Muldoon was contacted for comment.
