In a bona fide video that manages to look like a comedy sketch, Shorten is asked for his view on whether the speaker Peter Slipper, should return to his seat amid accusations of sexual harassment.

Shorten responds by saying he supports prime minister Julia Gillard’s statement on the matter.

He says: “I haven’t seen what she said but let me say I support what it is she said.”

The interviewer then presses Shorten for his view, to which he responds: “My view is what the prime minister’s view is.”

Pressed again, he concedes: “Sexual  harassment is an incredibly serious matter and there should be no tolerance of sexual harassment … I support what our prime minister has said.”

“But you don’t know what she said,” says the interviewer, to which Shorten replies: “But I’m sure she’s right.”

The YouTube video below has since gone viral.