Former Play School presenter fired by Labor over ‘abhorrent’ social media posts
Former Play School presenter turned adviser Rhys Muldoon has been sacked from the office of a Labor senator after past social media posts in which he used the N-word and likened a Liberal frontbencher to a Nazi collaborator were resurfaced.
Muldoon, in an apparent mocking of legal protections for free speech, used the N-word among other slurs in a 2014 post on X.
Rhys Muldoon is a former Play School presenter turned political staffer. WireImage
In a more recent post from 2023, he referred to Liberal Senator Jacinta Price as a “quisling” on X for backing the No stance during the Voice to parliament referendum debate.
Quisling means a traitor who helps an enemy force take over or occupy their own country.
The term references Norwegian politician Vidkun Quisling, who worked with Nazi Germany in the 1940s and led a puppet government.
Muldoon also made crude references to News24 presenter and Tony Abbott’s former chief of staff Peta Credlin.
The past posts, first resurfaced by news.com.au on Tuesday, were raised with his employer, federal Tasmanian Senator Richard Dowling. Muldoon has since been fired from his casual role.
Rhys Muldoon in his Play School days. ABC
“After being alerted to abhorrent tweets from my staffer, I’ve decided to not continue with his casual contract,” Dowling said in a statement.
“Everyone in public life has a responsibility to do better when it comes to political discourse.
“The words used were unacceptable at any time.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was unaware of the social media posts until Tuesday.
“The comments are completely unacceptable, and Senator Dowling has taken immediate action, and that’s appropriate,” he said.
Muldoon has deleted his X account. Nine.com.au has contacted him for further comment.
His career kicked off in the 1990s and led him to starring in the shows like Play School, Chances, The Genie from Down Under, Big Sky, The Secret Life of Us, Lockie Leonard and House Husbands.
He has also worked as a journalist and adviser, most recently running his own institute providing consultancy and independent advice.
Over the last nine years, he has written speeches for prime ministers and ministers and provided media training for politicians.
On his LinkedIn, Muldoon says he “help leaders say the right thing, the right way”.
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