Man Insults Australian Politician on Plane with “Harry Potter ”Comment — Some Think It Went Too Far: ‘That’s Just Mean’

The man compared politician Peter Dutton to Lord Voldemort from the popular fantasy franchise

Toria Sheffield

9 February 2025 at 5:00 am·2-min read

Getty People on plane (stock image) — Getty
People on plane (stock image)

A prominent Australian politician was recently teased while traveling on an airplane, and people on the internet have mixed feelings about the incident.

The moment — which was captured on video and anonymously shared to an Australian political satire account on TikTok — shows Peter Dutton, a conservative politician and leader of one of Australia’s main political parties, seated on an airplane.

A fellow airline traveler approaches and says: “Mr. Dutton, I just want to say you were really great in the Harry Potter films. [...] Best performance.”

The comment was likely in reference to a previous incident in 2022 in which Tanya Plibersek, a progressive politician from an opposing party, compared Dutton to Lord Voldemort, the cruel and calculated villain of the Harry Potter franchise, per The Guardian.

Tracey Nearmy/Getty Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton — Tracey Nearmy/Getty
Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton

The video sparked a flurry of posts in the comments section, with several TikTokers voicing their dislike of the seemingly mean-spirited jab.

“Not a fan of Dutton but that’s just mean,” wrote one person.

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“I don’t like Dutton or his policies but I love how in Australia we have a democracy and civility. Leave the guy alone,” added another.

Others, however, found the comment funny.

"Absolute legend,” wrote one person, with another adding, “I do love Australia's willingness to roast politicians to their face.”

Dutton has also been compared to U.S. President Donald Trump in recent years, promoting many of the same anti-immigration and populist policies in his country. He has also vowed to cut “wasteful” government spending should he be elected prime minister in the upcoming 2025 election and recently took aim at his government’s diversity initiatives, per the Australian Broadcasting Company.

Dutton has also caused controversy among environmentalists due to the fact that he has said he does not support the country’s current emissions reduction plan.

Read the original article on People

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