MP inundated with requests for portraits of Queen Elizabeth after article goes viral

One Labor MP has told Tom Elliott he’s found himself on the receiving end of a “national practical joke” after an article went viral online yesterday.

Tim Watts MP, Federal member for Gellibrand, has been inundated with requests for portraits of Queen Elizabeth after a VICE Media article was published, notifying readers that all Australian citizens are legally entitled to a free portrait of the Queen.

Tom Elliott asked Mr Watts how many requests he’d had so far.

“Before yesterday zero,” Mr Watts said.

“But that article has kicked off a bit of a national practical joke.

“We’ve had about 60 so far.”

He said in the back of his office, his staff have found about 10 or 12 portraits “gathering dust”.

“There’s a bit of a range actually, there’s one of Her Majesty in front of some gum trees a bit of a casual look, a formal one with a crown, one of her and Phil, there’s one for everyone,” he laughed.

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The “constituents’ request program” allows Australian voters who are eligible to receive “nationhood material”, meaning Australian flags, recordings of the National Anthem, as well as a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.