New Zealand comedian Melanie Bracewell celebrated her 31st birthday by sharing an unexpected exchange with Australian comedian Dave Hughes, in which she politely declined to engage with his political commentary.
Bracewell posted a selfie on Instagram with the caption, "31 today. Thanks for all the messages!" However, a second slide revealed a direct message from Hughes that delved into his views on the Labor governments in Victoria and federally. Hughes expressed frustration with alleged corruption and the economic impact on the country, stating, "The corruption by Labor Govts in Victoria and Federally is sending the country completely broke. That's my focus in politics. I'm sick of politicians thinking they can control the public to believe they are helping the disadvantaged while really just getting stinking rich themselves through outright thievery."
Bracewell's response was brief and to the point: "It's my birthday Hughesy I'm not reading all this." The deadpan reply was met with praise from fans on social media.
Despite the public sharing of the private message, the exchange appeared to be without hard feelings. Hughes later commented on Bracewell's birthday post with a lighthearted "Happy birthday legend. In comedian years, you haven't been born yet." After realizing his message had been exposed, Hughes returned with a joking comment, "I hadn't seen that second pic when I posted the congrats! I appreciate you getting the message out there! Win win!"
This incident follows a recent instance where Bracewell poked fun at Hughes' outspoken political and property views. Last week, she quipped on social media about his reported investment portfolio, saying, "You gotta feel for Hughesy, he's living from his tenants' paycheck to tenants' paycheck," adding for legal purposes that it was a joke.
Hughes has become increasingly vocal about his criticisms of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor government, frequently sharing commentary on economic policies and tax reforms. He has stated that he receives significant public support for voicing these opinions, with many Australians thanking him for articulating their frustrations.
Bracewell's birthday comeback has resonated online, with followers humorously adopting her phrase for similar situations. Some users also made light of the exchange, suggesting Hughes' funniest joke in two decades was the public exposure of his political rant.