Australian Senator Withdraws Controversial Anzac Day Rap Video Amid Social Media Backlash

Senator Helen Polley from Tasmania shared this eye-catching clip on her Instagram account following her participation in Anzac Day commemorations on Saturday.

The video includes a series of images from the event, capturing poignant moments such as servicemen laying wreaths. However, it was the accompanying soundtrack that caught the public’s attention, blending the solemn tones of the Australian national anthem with the lively beats of the 2006 rap track “A** N Da Aurr” by Chingy, featuring Spiffy.

The post included a montage of images from the service, including servicemen laying wreaths, fast cut and mashed-up background music.

The two pieces of music are the Australian national anthem and the 2006 rap song A** N Da Aurr by Chingy, feat. Spiffy.

Lyrics included ‘put your hands on the ground now put that a** in the air’ and ‘we pay to make you dance baby – get it girl’.

The post remained online for two days and was shared by almost 1000 people before it was taken down following media inquiries.

Until that point – about 3pm on Monday – the Launceston-based Labor senator received wholly negative feedback on the post.

‘What in the disrespect is this crap?’ one user wrote.

Tasmanian Senator Helen Polley (centre) shared a strange Anzac Day tribute (above) after attending services on Saturday

‘From a former serving member please stop this,’ another posted.

Senator Polley’s office was contacted for comment, responding with a two-paragraph statement.

‘Senator Polley has spent her life giving thanks to those who have served our nation – including her father who served in World War Two and was part of Tasmania’s incredible 2/40th Infantry Battalion,’ a spokesman said.

‘The Senator has written and spoken at length about her father’s bravery and how it has inspired her, and gave thanks again at Saturday’s service in Launceston to all of our service men and women.’

The RSL has been contacted for comment.

The 69-year-old, first elected in 2004, appears to have two Instagram accounts: a verified account and a second account.

A more straight-laced Anzac Day post was issued on her verified account to no opprobrium, soundtracked by The Last Post.

The rap post was made to her second account, but Senator Polley’s office confirmed it was also associated with her.

The post included a montage of images from the service (above) and two songs – the Australian national anthem and the 2006 song Ass N Da Aurr by Chingy, feat. Spiffy

The same account has also posted other montage posts.

One about the recent Labor state conference is soundtracked by a screamed Eyes Of The Tiger song by Leonardo Travensoli.

Others show a montage of what appears to be a personal holiday to Europe and Senator Polley struggling to pack a stuffed suitcase before heading to Canberra for a sitting week.

Senator Polley made news in February for employing her daughter and grandson in her office, defending their appointments as within parliamentary rules.

‘It isn’t easy finding people to work in these high-pressured, fast-paced positions,’ she told The Mercury.

In 2023, Senator Polley’s social media was briefly viral for a cooking hack where she showed how to boil eggs in the microwave using foil.