Chief Minister Andrew Barr in the Legislative Assembly: “It’s a bit weird”. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A senior Canberra Liberals source has confirmed reports that the party is seeking an Andrew Barr lookalike to star in election attack ads in a move showing they will target the Chief Minister during the campaign.
Region has also sighted a Victoria’s Models advertisement for the role and emails involving another agency, Devojka Models, relating to a 23 or 24 August shoot for the campaign ads.
The senior Liberal source confirmed the ad project but would only say: “I hope they can find someone who annoys Canberrans as much as Andrew does in real life these days, but that’s going to be tough.”
Victoria’s Models lists the client as television and video production agency Screencraft for the “Liberals Party of Australia”.
“We are doing an open casting for an Andrew Barr lookalike for a paid ad campaign,” Victoria’s Models says.
“If you know someone who looks like Andrew Barr (image attached), please have them email clear images (no sunglasses or hats to be worn) with their full name and age to bookings@victoriasmodels.com.au.”
A Devojka Models email is headed ‘Upcoming Specific Casting – Political Role’ and says, “Please ensure you are OK with the political nature of this role too”.
The Canberra Liberals’ response to the controversy. Image: Facebook.
Yesterday, the Canberra Liberals posted a mock email on its Facebook page saying: “That wasn’t the brief. I specifically wanted a realistic representation. The ad should have read: TIRED, GRUMPY and BIT ARROGANT.
“No Canberran is going to believe the guy on the draft front page ad you sent me. Everyone knows that after 23 years he looks more tired than this.”
Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s initial response was that the Liberals’ move was “weird” and a “bit creepy”.
ACT Labor secretary Ash van Dijk said the lookalike search was disappointing and the Canberra Liberals were reverting to stunts rather than announcing policies.
“ACT Labor introduced measures to reduce false and misleading electoral advertising this election, respecting Canberrans’ right to know the facts before casting their vote,” he said.
“It’s disappointing to see what appears to be the start of a campaign to falsely attribute words or actions to the Chief Minister from the Canberra Liberals.”
“While ACT Labor is focused on listening to Canberrans and delivering on cost of living, on health and housing, it seems the Canberra Liberals are focused on recreating their failed stunts during the 2020 election.”
“We don’t need to hire lookalikes to demonstrate the shortcomings of the Canberra Liberals – in the last few months alone, a number of Canberra Liberals members voted against increasing access to abortions, and a majority of them voted against voluntary assisted dying.”
Last month, the LNP Opposition in Queensland used an AI-generated image of Premier Stephen Miles to post an attack ad on TikTok, prompting outrage from Mr Miles.
“In a time when misinformation is everywhere, we as politicians have a duty to communicate with our audiences and to voters clearly and honestly,” Mr Miles said at the time.
Mr van Dijk said Labor would not be using AI-generated images in its campaign material.
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