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Driving lesson turns TV lesson for the Joneses

TEN's new series has come under fire today for a scene in which a three year old boy was shown steering a truck while sitting on his father's lap.

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Nothin’ like a bit of controversy to kick off your new TV series.

TEN’s new series Keeping up with the Joneses has come under fire today for a scene in which a three year old boy was shown steering a truck while sitting on his father’s lap.

In the new series, ‘Little Milton’ was seen behind the wheel of a truck on private property.

Farmsafe Australia was surprised by the sequence, which flies in the face of a national campaign aimed at protecting children on rural properties. It reports that about 30 children die on Australian farms each year. Executive director Jamie Cupples said learning to drive at a young age was a common experience in the country but supervision was vital.

Milton’s mother Cristina said they were prepared for the backlash from viewers and said they would never put their children in danger.

“They will be freaking out about the driving and stuff, like when Steve Irwin took his little baby into the crocodile pen,” she said.

As the incident occurred on private property it is therefore not punishable under territory road laws.

In the series, dad Milton said of the moment, “If he’s going to make a career in the bush he’s got to learn about it.

“He learns by looking, showing. Actually doing it.”

Source: Courier Mail (includes quotes from TV Tonight readers)

43 Responses

  4. I also think this was a publicity stunt – probably Ten thought whipping up (or rather, faking!) some controversy would increase ratings.

    But just to be contrary, I personally think three way is too young to learn how to dive, farm or not. (And, yes, I know he was on his father’s lap.)

  5. Why are they only dads teaching their little ones to drive? Where are the kids with happy memories of sitting on mum’s lap while they learned to drive? As a mother to a young boy, this is another glass ceiling I must break through!

    And just in case nobody noticed, that was totes sarcasm.

  8. @David, it’s great that you manage to remain professional under such circumstances but, just occasionally, it’d be amusing if you explained to people like Zappy that they are being a bit of a twat.

  9. This was one of the best Aussie shows I’ve seen in a long time.

    Real people ….

    It’s was funny that driving on Dad’s lap was more dangerous then being close to a a very very big Croc.

    Maybe all kids should stay safe inside, eat junk food and die of Obesity or Diabetes.

    What has the world come too.

  13. Thanks Zappy for your concern over my time being potentially wasted in reading the artticle, how thoughtful! But alas, it ended up only being wasted in reading your arrogant reply.

  14. You need to catch up.This was News when it happened. Why ae we only hearing about it on this Blog after it has gone to air? Either get with it or stop wasting everyone’s time.

    1. Zappy: Charming. I wrote about the scene in Review some 2 weeks ago. The episode aired last night. Today Farmsafe Australia made a statement to the press about it as per the link. So that is News in my book.

      Getting a little tired of being polite to anonymous people who attack based on half-hearted “facts.” It must be Friday.

  15. I didn’t grow up on a farm in the slightest, but i used to sit on mum’s lap and drive down the driveway. The scene didn’t bother me in the slightest, its not like he’s in the car on his own :S i still won’t watch the show, doesn’t interest me at all, but this kinda thing seems a bit over the top :S

  16. totally agree with all the comments – i grew up on a farm and was driving with my dad in primary school and driving supervised by 10 onwards, then by myself from 14-15, just around the house paddock.

    In fact, it probably makes people from the country better drivers because they have been practicing for a long time!! Unlike city people who only have 2 years to practice!

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