UPDATE: Bill Shorten has acknowledged that Labor's controversial "Australians first" ad should have contained more diverse characters, but says he's not sorry for the overall message.
"I am not in the business of making ads," he told reporters in Canberra. "We have too many rorts in the visa system.
"I had a look in the final product and I think we need more diversity and I will speak to the Labor Party about that."
Some people have pointed out the lack of diversity in the ALP’s video about local jobs. Fair cop. A bad oversight that won’t happen again.
If you were watching the 6pm news last night, you may have seen the debut of Labor's new ad campaign that will target marginal electorates and "mix patriotism and protectionism".
A budget bonus is on the way for some of those who need it most. @ccroucher9 reports. #9News
The ad says Labor will "put Australians first" when it comes to jobs and procurement.
And it shows opposition leader Bill Shorten standing next to a group of ~everyday Aussies~.
But people couldn't help noticing one thing about the ad...
Yep, almost all the people chosen to represent Australians appear to be white.
It did not go unnoticed on social media.
FUCK YEAH NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THERE'S FUCKLOADS OF DIVERSITY HERE AT LEAST TWO ARE FROM ADELAIDE AND ONE I… https://t.co/3ucwxl6vRZ
Plenty of people thought the ad was just flat out racist.
The only thing whiter than this Labor ad is the SBS Eurovision hosting team
So much white... it's blinding
"If you thought the Oscars were #SoWhite, just wait 'til you see..."
Oh
Employ "Australians" First - Good to see ALP advertising reflecting the rich tapestry that is Australia
And some just took the piss.
this looks like Bill is hosting a reboot of channel 7 classic "The Mole"
BuzzFeed News can reveal the ad was by advertising agency The Moss Group, overseen by ad maker Darren Moss, who was behind Labor’s recent successful “Mediscare” ad featuring former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke.
Moss did not return repeated requests for comment on Monday morning.
Privately, Labor MPs are expressing outrage and bewilderment at how the ad was made without a single non-white Australian being shown.
“Take a look at a photo of Labor caucus, then that ad,” one senior Labor MP told BuzzFeed News. “What are we doing?”
We've contacted Bill Shorten's office for comment.
HERES TOMORROWS NEWS