IT HASN’T QUITE started a diplomatic row but some Australians commentators are unhappy about David Cameron’s impersonation of their prime minister Julia Gillard.
The British PM made the gaffe while speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, according to the Herald Sun.
That same article denounces Cameron’s attempt at an Australian accent as “one of the worst in history”.
Trying to inject some humour into his speech, the British prime minister recounted a tale from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth last month.
During that meeting, the leaders decided to change “outdated” succession laws which will allow for the firstborn child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to become the Head of State – even if it is a girl.
Previous rules dictated that the firstborn girl cannot become Queen.
At the end of the meeting, Cameron said he thanked Gillard for hosting the event to which she responded,
Not a bit David, this is good news for sheilas everywhere.”
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Gillard often pokes fun at herself for her strong accent, says the Daily Telegraph, even calling it “dreadful” during a trip to New Zealand earlier this year.
However, her alleged use of the colloquialism ”sheilas” (as in girls) also got some Australians talking. One online commenter doubted Cameron’s memory:
It’s not the accent that is the problem, it is the use of the word ‘sheilas’. I highly doubt an educated person like Ms Gillard would have used the word ‘sheilas’ to describe women.
US President Barack Obama arrives in Australia today but is unlikely to tell anyone to “throw a shrimp on the barbie.”
Although, Cameron is not the first politician to fall foul of the imitation gaffe.
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