Labor MP ordered to delete meme depicting transport minister as Sergeant Schultz

August 2024 · 2 minute read

A high-profile state Labor MP has been ordered to take down a social media post he made comparing the embattled NSW transport minister to a famous Hogan's Heroes Nazi character.

Senior frontbencher Ron Hoenig posted a meme on Sunday portraying David Elliott as Sergeant Shultz, who famously uttered the popular catchphrase 'I know nothing', on the 1970s hit comedy show.

The meme was in reference to Mr Elliott's excuses after Sydney was hit by train chaos last Monday, after the state government shut down the network in response to industrial action.

Transport Minister David Elliott was asleep when the decision to shut the Sydney rail network was made

Transport Minister David Elliott was asleep when the decision to shut the Sydney rail network was made last Monday, prompting Mr Hoenig to take the meme down making fun of him

Mr Elliott was asleep when bureaucrats pulled the plug on the network and he wasn't informed of the decision to cancel Sydney's trains until after it was made.   

Mr Hoenig's controversial image disappeared from social media later on Sunday night.

Mr Elliott is Veterans Minister, as well as being a former soldier. Mr Elliott told the Daily Telegraph: 'I’m more than happy to have people take the mickey if it makes them feel better but there are plenty of other ways to do it than depict me in a Nazi uniform.'  

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet believes the industrial action plaguing the train system will continue

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet believes the industrial action plaguing the train system will continue

Premier Dominic Perrottet was unaware Sydney Trains would completely shut down until he woke up on Monday morning. 

Mr Perrottet was not informed of it by the secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet Michael Coutts-Trotter. 

Mr Coutts-Trotter was also catching some shuteye when a text message came through to him late Sunday night of the impending shutdown. 

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 Meanwhile, Sydney Trains were back on track on Monday after a week of no-show and limited services caused longer commute time for those heading to work.

But Mr Perrottet warned the ongoing industrial action means 'if there is an incident it may take a bit more time to recover'. 

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