Newly-minted NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Sunday night that he and his wife Helen are expecting their seventh child, a girl, due next year.
Posting to Facebook, Perrottet wrote, “Exciting family news.
“Our family photo wall is going to need another frame! Helen and I are thrilled to announce we have a little girl due next year.
“With five sisters already, William is looking on the bright side – more bench depth on the family basketball team.”
In addition to well wishes, many people saw the opportunity to rib the Premier about the number of children he and his wife have had.
Waiting for Josh Frydenberg to ask Dan Andrews why he only has 3 kids when Dom Perrottet is about to have 7
— Thor (@thunderson23) October 17, 2021
Some social media users pointed out how different the response might be if the Premier were a woman; anyone who remembers the commentary around Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s marital and parental status will understand that frustration.
So, if Dominic Perrottet was a woman, we'd be questioning how he was going to run a state with a new bub…let alone having 7 young kids total…
Amirite?#ManPinions
— No one, because nobody cares (@gabs247) October 17, 2021
One Facebook commenter wrote, “How is he going to balance a newborn and his job as Premier? Why didn’t he think this through before signing up? Wow, journalists should have asked him if he was planning on having a baby whilst in office, then no one would have chosen him as premier. Silly little boy, keep your legs closed.” while another said, “Trying to have it all, I see. Maybe he should take a break from his job to focus better on his family”.
While some saw the opportunity for political humour and ran with it…
Atleast in 19 years time he’ll be able to use his children for all the branch stacking 😂
— Patrick Malone (@pattymalone2000) October 17, 2021
Dominic Perrottet has announced his wife is pregnant with their seventh child.
He is a Liberal but his wife has always been in Labour.
🤔🤔🤔🥴🥴🥴🥴— Barry Mulligan (@BazzaCC) October 17, 2021
…others seized their chance to be a bit more crude.
He doesn’t put the Dom in condom
— BEERBOY-182 🍹 (@beerboy182) October 17, 2021
Perrottet and his wife already have six children – five girls and one boy. When asked earlier this month how he would juggle being Premier with family responsibilities, he acknowledged it would be demanding, and that finding a balance was a struggle for every working parent. He added, “Ultimately, what I might lose in time, I gain in perspective”.
Image: Dominic Perrottet/Facebook
This article first appeared on Over60.