‘I thought it must have been a stitch up’: Perth Mayor’s reaction to earthquake text

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has told Tony Jones how he thought a text from a 3AW producer about an earthquake in Melbourne was a “stitch up”.

Mr Zempilas was supposed to be interviewed on 3AW on Wednesday morning at 9:25am, minutes after the 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Victoria.

“I was hosting the AFL Grand Final Breakfast, and at 7:30am I had to be on stage to introduce Gillon McLachlan, so it was a small window,” he said.

“I looked down at my phone and your producer had sent a text to say ‘there’s an earthquake’ and I thought that must have been a stitch up.

“I went on stage and said ‘as if enough hasn’t happened in Melbourne, guess what’s happened now’ and there was a gasp in the room.

“And that’s a gasp out of sincerity and genuine concern.”

He also promised Perth was ready to put on a great show for all footy fans around the country.

“You deserve a great Grand Final day, I know it’s one you can’t be at, you have to watch, but we’re going to put on a great show for you because you deserve to have something special to sit back and watch.”

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