Labor senator Helen Polley deletes Anzac Day video with explicit rap song after backlash
Consensus Summary
Tasmanian Labor senator Helen Polley faced backlash after posting an Anzac Day tribute video on her official Instagram page on April 25, 2026, featuring images from the Launceston cenotaph service overlaid with sexually explicit lyrics from Chingyâs 2006 song *A$$ n da Aurr* and the Australian national anthem. The video remained online for at least one day before being deleted on April 26, 2026. Social media users condemned the choice of music as disrespectful to veterans, with comments highlighting the inappropriate pairing of the songâs lyrics with a solemn Anzac commemoration. Senator Polleyâs office defended her record of honoring service members, noting her fatherâs military service, but did not clarify whether she or her team posted the video. Both sources agree the incident sparked outrage, though the Guardian framed it as an accidental error while NEWSCOMAU left the intent ambiguous.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tasmanian Labor senator Helen Polley posted a video on her official Instagram page on April 27, 2026, featuring Anzac Day commemoration images overlaid with sexually explicit lyrics from Chingyâs 2006 song *A$$ n da Aurr* and the Australian national anthem.
- The video included images from the Launceston cenotaph Anzac service, which Senator Polley attended on April 25, 2026 (Saturday).
- The video was deleted on April 26, 2026 (Monday), after being up for at least one day.
- Senator Polleyâs office stated she is a woman who has 'spent her life giving thanks to those who have served our nation,' referencing her fatherâs service as a war veteran.
- Social media users criticized the video as 'disrespectful' to Anzac veterans, with comments like 'Would you play this song at a funeral procession?'
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The video was accompanied by a caption thanking attendees of the Launceston Cenotaph Service and Launceston RSL & LCC, noting 'both services had the biggest crowds ever.'
- A separate Anzac tribute video (a slideshow with *The Last Post*) was posted on April 25, 2026, and received a comment asking if the Chingy video was deleted due to its 'disrespectful filth.'
- It is unclear whether Senator Polley posted the video herself or if a member of her team did it.
- Senator Polley was elected to the Senate for Tasmania in 2004 and re-elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022.
- Chingyâs 2003 hit *Right Thurr* was mentioned as part of his background, with explicit lyrics from *A$$ n da Aurr* quoted in detail (e.g., 'we came to make you dance, baby').
- The article mentions Senator Polley as a 'former shadow minister and current chair of parliamentâs committee on law enforcement.'
- The Guardianâs headline explicitly states the rap song inclusion was a 'mistakenly' added audio track.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian implies the explicit song was an 'honest mistake,' while NEWSCOMAU does not explicitly state whether it was intentional or accidental.
Source Articles
Senatorâs Anzac ârapâ video sparks rage
A Labor senator has sparked outrage after posting a now-deleted Anzac tribute video overlaid with sexually explicit rap lyrics on her Instagram.
Labor senator deletes Anzac Day Instagram post after mistakenly including raunchy rap song
Images in Helen Polleyâs post included a marching band, people laying wreaths and ex-serving members giving speeches set to a track by US rapper Chingy Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A federal Labor senator has deleted a social media video which mistakenly included audio of an explicit rap song over a carousel of photos of Anzac Day commemorations. Senator Helen Polley, a former shadow minister and current chair of parliamentâs committee on law enforcement, posted a