Federal Politics
  1. Home
  2. Politics
  3. Opinion
SKETCH

Star-struck MPs revisit their teens with visit from Jean-Claude Van Damme

Amy Remeikis

Standing inside the hallowed walls of Australia's Parliament, one of the last action heroes, learnt something.

Meeting with Josh Frydenberg to discuss his mission to establish animal sanctuaries in Australia - the "perfect place", given the differing terrains and climates - and space - the Muscles from Brussels absorbed the lesson that the division bells in a fraught parliament is the one true Timecop.

Up Next

Did the Simpsons predict Trump's Wall?

null
Video duration
00:53

More Entertainment News Videos

null
Video duration
01:03

Van Damme to bring animals Down Under

null
Video duration
01:33

Last Tango rape scene non-consensual
null
Video duration
02:13

What is bottle flipping?
null
Video duration
01:46

Private Sydney: Real Housewives in ...
More videos

Van Damme to bring animals Down Under

Hollywood actor and animal conservationist, Jean-Claude Van Damme visits Broken Hill to look at a proposed site for an endangered species conservation park.

And it waits for no member. Or 90s action hero.

But while the ringing of the bells saw the Environment Minister become a Hard Target, Jean-Claude Van Damme remained undeterred, and detailed The Quest – to establish a safe place, or maybe several safe places, across our sweeping plains, for animals from across the world to safely roam, and wander and "make love and procreate", with Mr Van Damme and his friends providing the funds and Australia providing the environment.

Or that is at least how his intermediary, Max Markson described it - Mr Van Damme was too busy good-naturedly indulging others, including a recently enlightened Mr Frydenberg, with mock boxing poses for photos.

He had Nowhere to Run, and so he smiled and laughed politely when Mr Frydenberg proved he had read at least the first few lines of JCVD's Wikipedia page in the most awkward minister-celebrity interaction since Hulk Hogan arm-wrestled Kate Ellis.

Advertisement

"We're great fans of your movies, you're a very popular figure here, should I say kickboxer – and who would have thought that a son of an accountant and a florist would become such a martial arts expert and somebody who's done so much through their movies to promote conservation and nature," the minister said.

"So welcome to Australia, and I'm looking forward to a very good meeting."

So natural was the welcome, and the Street Fighter poses that came after it, no one would have been the wiser that the minister only just learnt Van Damme's nickname three minutes before he walked into the room. For Double Impact, the minister then mentioned it not only in greeting, but also in tweeting, proving he's one with popular culture.

But Van Damme's Lionheart just wants to save lions' hearts – and gorillas and elephants and rhinos and also some Australian animals, and so was prepared to be a Universal Solider for the cause.

He high kicked his way into Minister Frydenberg's heart, threw his fists up over and over again, greeted the ever growing line of slightly star-struck parliamentarians living their 13-year-old best selves and discussed his concerns for the world's animals - and the world itself - with anyone who'd listen. Australia, he believed, was a "safe place", therefore making it perfect for his dream. It only stands to see if the parliamentarians he charmed felt the same.

Proving he was all in to achieve the dream he had held since he was "nine years old", Van Damme was even willing to meet with the man who threatened the lives of two teacup Yorkshire Terriers,

Obviously, that meeting was to take place away from the cameras.

After all, 'Barnaby Jones' has a reputation to protect.

Not Pauline Hanson though - the One Nation leader managed to snag a Facebook Live session with the action star, and wasn't afraid to let the world know.

Nothing, it seems, transcends the political divide quite like a celebrity. Even a retired one.

Follow us on Twitter

Advertisement