A former top government minister has been branded as heartless after she slammed Aussie singer-songwriter Tim Minchin for opening up about his mum’s death at his concert.
The popular musician/comedian stunned the audience at a show in Sydney last Friday night when he revealed his beloved mum Ros had been diagnosed with terminal blood cancer three years earlier.
He shared stories about his mum and played several songs he had written about her before revealing hear the end of the show that she had died a day earlier aged 74.
Hours after a grieving Minchin returned to the stage for his final Sydney show, former Senator Amanda Vanstone weighed into the tragedy on Monday night and accused Minchin ‘cheapening’ his mum’s death.
Australian entertainer Tim Minchin announced at a show last week that his mother Ros has lost three-year battle with blood cancer
‘Losing a parent is hard. Whatever age and however expected. But to me it’s a private grief. Making it public seems to cheapen it, make it marketable,’ Vanstone tweeted.
The late-night tweet quickly sparked a barrage of outrage.
‘Imagine disrespecting someone’s right to grieve in a way of their choosing. That’s cheap: ,’ one fumed.
Another added: ‘Shut down your account you heartless crone – but then you’ve always been that. However, you’ve never been cheap – with our money.’
A third wrote: ‘It brings those who have lost their parent together to share their grief. As someone who lost their mum to cancer at a young age, this sharing is what gets me and many others through. You’re entitled to privacy. He’s entitled to share and not be labeled as opportunistic.’
There was also outpouring of support for Minchin.
‘Tim’s Sunday show was spectacular in every way. He was sharing his grief which for a man was inspiring. Turn your brain on before you type next time. Tim, you are a true star and human. We all support you,’ on wrote.
Another fan wrote: ‘ What an appalling person you are Amanda Vanstone for that comment! Everyone reacts to grief differently in times of grief! Tim Minchin clearly felt obligated to continue his concert due to ticket sales/audience. If you had a shred of decency you’d take post down!’
Former minister Amanda Vanstone weighed into Tim Minchin’s family tragedy on Monday
Amanda Vanstone (pictured) is a former Howard government minister and senator
Vanstone served as a federal senator for South Australia from 1984 to 2007, and held several ministerial portfolios in the John Howard government. She’s also a former Australian ambassador for Italy.
Minchin told his audience on Friday night he decided to go ahead with the show despite the family tragedy before an emotional performance to White Wine in the Sun.
He ended the show by asking the audience to join in the final song for the night, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah as the venue plunged into darkness.
Minchin received rave reviews for his shows after deciding to continue his nationwide tour and shared a glowing tribute on his Instagram on Monday night.
‘Tim Minchin’s show last night was absolutely beautiful. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen,’ the review stated.
Minchin now heads to Hobart, where the first two of his four shows are already sold out.
Tim Minchin has been inundated with rave reviews as he continues his national tour while mourning the loss of his mum
