A shot in the foot

AS a cautionary tale of the perils of using social media on a whim it is a pretty good one.

Papparazo, business owner, former mayor and independent candidate for the seat of Geelong, Darryn Lyons, has been known to “tweet” first and ask questions later.

This time it is a tweet from his personal account that poses a personal question about Labor rival Richard Marles that may land Mr Lyons in hot water.

The tweet: “Are u gay pls tell the people? I am unconventional and unconcerned as my niece is ! Pls tell @lyons4geelong the truth and the people of Australia”.

Well strongly suggesting that a federal MP, who has a wife and children, is gay is certainly unconventional.

It would also indicate a grave error of judgment by a person who is seeking election to the Victorian Parliament.

It is likely Mr Lyons realised this moments after posting the gibe — as it was deleted.

But it was published to the world long enough that eagleeyed observers noticed and captured a screengrab of it.

No doubt Mr Lyons’ political rivals could not believe their luck at his moment of madness. And he himself has handed them the artillery to fire at him.

Passionate devotees of Mr Lyons may not hold the tweet against him. They may think it’s all part of his cut-through iconoclastic style.

But it may not help him among voters that are less sure.

Not that they’re spoiled for choice when it comes to the other Geelong candidates: a Labor incumbent who is on the backbench and a Liberal challenger who was the only major candidate in the seat to refuse to take part in a campaign debate.

There are some moments in political campaigns that crystallise people’s doubts — think about Mark Latham’s infamous aggressive handshake with John Howard.

Mr Lyons’ political rivals have been banking on him selfdestructing. It remains to be seen whether in a mad moment he has wrapped himself in a giant bow and presented himself as a gift to them.