MEMBER for Mallee Andrew Broad has proposed a radical Seinfeld-style method for improving relations with journalists at Parliament House by withholding coffee.
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Mr Broad’s proposal came during a showdown between the Department of Parliamentary Services and Aussies Cafe over how much rent the business should pay.
It is the ultimate example of politicians fighting over issues the public couldn’t care less about.
However, it did give Mr Broad a chance to test the waters with an idea he cooked up and served to Tony Abbott.
Mr Broad said he told the former prime minister the Coalition should take over coffee supplies in Parliament House.
“Just like the Soup Nazi off Seinfeld, we'd be able to say 'I saw that article you wrote today - no coffee for you',” Mr Broad told the ABC.
“I think that would be the best way of manipulating the media.”
If you missed one of the 20th century’s greatest comedy series, the ‘Soup Nazi’ refuses to serve his delicious soup to customers who disobey the strict rules of his shop.
Mr Broad’s hard-line approach to hit media where it hurts, their caffeine addictions, had Mail-Times journalists puzzled.
After all, isn’t this the guy that last week applauded US Senator John McCain for standing up to President Donald Trump on the freedom of the press?
President Trump has labelled media organisations as enemies of the people and locked them out of briefings, but he hasn’t threatened to take away their precious coffee.