WA Premier Mark McGowan has joked he might start wearing a bandana after he was surprised by an image of a man’s leg tattoo depicting him as 2Pac.
The tattooed image of the Premier’s face shows him wearing a 2Pac-style bandana with the words “Westside bitches” written underneath.
“You’re joking?” a slightly blushing Mr McGowan said when he was informed about the tattoo towards the end of a lengthy press conference on Friday.
Asked for his thoughts, Mr McGowan joked: “I was in the navy and I live in Rockingham. I’ve seen worse.”
“Fortunately with tattoos, I understand you can get them removed these days, so I’d urge that bloke to get it removed as soon as possible.”
Asked if he identified with the slogan, Mr McGowan said: “I don’t even know what that means and I don’t want to even speculate on what that means, and I’ve never worn a bandana.”
The Premier further joked he could send the man a list of tattoo removal services.
When another reporter tried to ask a serious question about COVID-19, Mr McGowan interjected with: “I might put that bloke in lockdown.”
The Premier continued to jest as the journalist tried to ask a serious question, then said: “Hold on. Don’t get exasperated. This is shocking.”
Another reporter then held the image up against Mr McGowan’s face as journalists laughed about the likeness.
“Maybe I’ll start wearing a bandana from now on,” Mr McGowan said.
Mr McGowan did eventually answer a couple more serious questions before ending his part of the press conference.
Health Minister Roger Cook was also asked about the ink and whether he was disappointed no one had a tattoo of his face.
“I don’t receive the same accolades as the Premier. I’m just hardworking,” he joked, drawing more laughs.
It prompted Mr McGowan to say from behind his mask: “I’m just a show pony.”
The Premier has been widely praised in WA for his handling of the pandemic, despite receiving criticism from some people on the east coast.
WA will go to the polls on March 13.
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