Australia's prime minister has been mocked for attempting an impression of Borat, the Sacha Baron Cohen character, while discussing Kazakhstan during a session of the country’s parliament.
Scott Morrison criticised the carbon-reduction policies of the opposing Labor party by suggesting the central Asian country, which has an emissions trading scheme allowing carbon credits to be bought and sold, would be “pretty pleased”.
As federal elections loom in May the conservative Mr Morrison lambasted his opponents, who are proposing a string of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission and promote renewable energy.
“I’m sure [Kazakhstan is] absolutely thrilled about this,” he told MPs. “Some may call this a carbon tax ... I’m going to call it the Borat tax.
“The Borat tax that will be put on by the Labor party with carbon credits to Kazakhstan. I know what Borat would think of the Labor party’s policy on emissions reduction.”
Giving a double thumbs-up and a big grin, he added: “Very nice! Very nice!”
When Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was released nearly 13 years ago, reaction in the titular character’s home country was mixed.
Some were outraged by its portrayal of rural Kazakhstan, while others recognised its satirical portrayal of backward attitudes in the US.
The Kazakh government initially blocked the film’s website and many have suggested that referencing Borat in relation to Kazakhstan actually helps perpetuate offensive stereotypes.
Twitter users mocked Mr Morrison, saying they had “genuinely never been more embarrassed to be Australian”.
“I can’t wait for the day he manages an Australian prime minister impression,” said one, while another added: “This is the worst Borat impression I’ve ever heard.”
A third said: “That’s what happens when you try to fake being in touch with the common man. He’s clearly never watched it, just been fed this line by his genius muppeteers back at the office.”
