Authorities investigate a ‘disgusting’ social media stunt by influencers targeting Aboriginal communities
- Replies 15
A group of controversial social media ‘influencers’ found themselves in hot water after driving into Aboriginal communities and encouraging people to drink shocking amounts of alcohol.
In a video posted on Instagram, the group can be seen driving around the remote town of Coober Pedy on a bus as they claimed to be ‘on the hunt to find Australia's best house party’.
‘We are here in Coober Pedy. Let's see what this town's about,’ a man said in the clip.
Old posts from their Instagram account showed them purchasing an old passenger bus before fully coating it with black paint and displaying their name across the side of the vehicle.
The group regularly hosted parties inside of the bus as it was complete with a bar, DJ decks, and neon lights.
The influencers got in serious trouble for giving away bottles of liquor with pink snorkel-like devices attached to them and encouraging the locals to chug alcohol from the devices. Most of them shared the drink, some finished a bottle to the last drop, while other locals were seen spitting the alcohol out.
The group handed out alcohol for locals to binge drink. Source: ABC
A recent post from the group suggested that their previous social media accounts have been banned due to offensive content.
'YOU CAN'T GET RID OF US THAT EASY! How epic was that party? Here's some footage of what went down,' they captioned the post.
'We have had to relaunch due to our Instagram account getting shut down… But we are here to stay!'
A user pointed out in one of the videos: ‘Isn't Coober Pedy a dry zone?’
The SA Government's website confirmed that Coober Pedy has a dry zone implemented for almost all of its public spaces ‘to curb alcohol-related problems and anti-social behaviour in public areas such as reserves, car parks, beaches, and communities where drinking in public places is an indicator of complex social issues.’
ABC stated that a dry zone is a place that forbids its residents to consume alcohol. Several locations across Australia have a dry zone including remote parts of the country.
A dry zone in NT. Source: canberratimes.com
The group stated on their account that they are ‘travelling around Australia in 2022’, but geo-tags from their recent posts revealed that they have only moved to lower socioeconomic areas.
The 'party bus' was recently spotted at Uluru in the Northern Territory, with Aboriginal officials fearing that they are potentially targeting at-risk groups.
The Chief Executive of the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, Shane Mohor confirmed that authorities informed him about the group ‘moving on’ but heard about their plans to travel north.
'I am concerned to have learned that they are now planning to head to Alice Springs,' Mr Mohor stated.
'I have been in touch with Nganampa Health Service in the APY Lands to let them know about this incident and that this group are planning to head their way.'
Since July 7, the group has published images and videos from Warrnambool in Victoria as well as other locations in South Australia, including Robe and Adelaide.
A group of men can be seen chugging alcohol. Source: DailyMail
One video tagged with an ‘Adelaide’ location showed a bottle of alcohol being shared by a group of Aboriginal men.
SA Police stated that they have investigated the video and fined four members of the Coober Pedy community for drinking in public.
'We can confirm that we are aware of the vision and have not received any specific complaints from the public,' a spokesperson detailed.
'Police continue to try and locate the person(s) who supplied the alcohol for possible breaches under the Liquor Licensing Act.'
South Australia’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Kyam Maher said: ‘It’s disgusting, quite frankly.’
‘The police have been notified, and the Office for the Commissioner of Liquor and Gambling is also looking into it. The unlicensed supply or sale of alcohol can carry fines of up to $20,000. I hope the authorities investigate this case as thoroughly as possible.’ he continued.
This isn’t the first time popular social media personalities have caused a ruckus online and the SDC will always condemn illegal and offensive forms of entertainment.
What are your thoughts on these influencers’ stunts? Let us know in the comments!
In a video posted on Instagram, the group can be seen driving around the remote town of Coober Pedy on a bus as they claimed to be ‘on the hunt to find Australia's best house party’.
‘We are here in Coober Pedy. Let's see what this town's about,’ a man said in the clip.
Old posts from their Instagram account showed them purchasing an old passenger bus before fully coating it with black paint and displaying their name across the side of the vehicle.
The group regularly hosted parties inside of the bus as it was complete with a bar, DJ decks, and neon lights.
The influencers got in serious trouble for giving away bottles of liquor with pink snorkel-like devices attached to them and encouraging the locals to chug alcohol from the devices. Most of them shared the drink, some finished a bottle to the last drop, while other locals were seen spitting the alcohol out.
The group handed out alcohol for locals to binge drink. Source: ABC
A recent post from the group suggested that their previous social media accounts have been banned due to offensive content.
'YOU CAN'T GET RID OF US THAT EASY! How epic was that party? Here's some footage of what went down,' they captioned the post.
'We have had to relaunch due to our Instagram account getting shut down… But we are here to stay!'
A user pointed out in one of the videos: ‘Isn't Coober Pedy a dry zone?’
The SA Government's website confirmed that Coober Pedy has a dry zone implemented for almost all of its public spaces ‘to curb alcohol-related problems and anti-social behaviour in public areas such as reserves, car parks, beaches, and communities where drinking in public places is an indicator of complex social issues.’
ABC stated that a dry zone is a place that forbids its residents to consume alcohol. Several locations across Australia have a dry zone including remote parts of the country.
A dry zone in NT. Source: canberratimes.com
The group stated on their account that they are ‘travelling around Australia in 2022’, but geo-tags from their recent posts revealed that they have only moved to lower socioeconomic areas.
The 'party bus' was recently spotted at Uluru in the Northern Territory, with Aboriginal officials fearing that they are potentially targeting at-risk groups.
The Chief Executive of the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, Shane Mohor confirmed that authorities informed him about the group ‘moving on’ but heard about their plans to travel north.
'I am concerned to have learned that they are now planning to head to Alice Springs,' Mr Mohor stated.
'I have been in touch with Nganampa Health Service in the APY Lands to let them know about this incident and that this group are planning to head their way.'
Since July 7, the group has published images and videos from Warrnambool in Victoria as well as other locations in South Australia, including Robe and Adelaide.
A group of men can be seen chugging alcohol. Source: DailyMail
One video tagged with an ‘Adelaide’ location showed a bottle of alcohol being shared by a group of Aboriginal men.
SA Police stated that they have investigated the video and fined four members of the Coober Pedy community for drinking in public.
'We can confirm that we are aware of the vision and have not received any specific complaints from the public,' a spokesperson detailed.
'Police continue to try and locate the person(s) who supplied the alcohol for possible breaches under the Liquor Licensing Act.'
South Australia’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Kyam Maher said: ‘It’s disgusting, quite frankly.’
‘The police have been notified, and the Office for the Commissioner of Liquor and Gambling is also looking into it. The unlicensed supply or sale of alcohol can carry fines of up to $20,000. I hope the authorities investigate this case as thoroughly as possible.’ he continued.
This isn’t the first time popular social media personalities have caused a ruckus online and the SDC will always condemn illegal and offensive forms of entertainment.
What are your thoughts on these influencers’ stunts? Let us know in the comments!
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