‘Haters are gonna hate’: Nats MP quotes Taylor Swift
An Australian politician has invoked the power of pop starlet Taylor Swift to encourage young victims of online bullying.
He didn’t quite sing the lyrics — more like a rhythmical recitation — but Nationals MP Andrew Broad undoubtedly quoted from smash hit ‘Shake It Off’.
No matter the harsh words thrown at them, school kids should know they are worthwhile and valuable and simply ignore “the haters”, said Mr Broad, with a little help from Tay-Tay.
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“The haters are gonna hate, the players are gonna play,” he told parliament on Monday, complete with hand movements popularised by the song’s video clip.
“Bullying can happen, you can’t control what they’re going to say at you, but you can control your response to it.
“Just let it wash past you.”
The lower house has passed two bills that will create a new children’s e-safety commissioner to handle complaints and crack down on cyber-bullying.
The new laws will also mean bullying victims can compel Facebook and Twitter to take down harmful material.
The Enhancing Online Safety For Children Bill 2014 and related consequential amendments will now head to the Senate, where a committee is due to report on it on March 3.
—with AAP.