The footage of the firefighter telling the Australian Prime Minister to 'get f***ed' has become an iconic part of the current bushfire crisis.
It sums up the anger that is being direct at Scott Morrison, with many people saying he hasn't been showing leadership during the tragedy.
Advert
But the image of Paul Parker from Nelligen on the New South Wales south coast has become so legendary that it's been immortalised in a mural in Melbourne.
The painting was done by Van Nishing, who has claimed he was arrested while trying to complete the artwork. The artist, officially known as Van T Rudd, former PM Kevin Rudd's nephew, claims he was approached by three officers while trying to recreate the scene on a Melbourne wall.
He said: "It's true, I was arrested, handcuffed and charged in hazy (smoke-filled) daylight criminal damage (ie graffiti) by three Victoria Police officers in front of my young children just after completing the mural.
Advert
"And the cops also threatened to call DHS to remove my kids so I could be transported separately to the police station.
"After about half an hour of typical Vic Pol intimidation - taking my belongings, searching my car, and talking to my children as though they (the cops) were angelic saviours - I was eventually able to clarify the permission I'd had to paint the artwork of the legendary firefighter."
"They quite reluctantly backed off and withdrew the arrest charge, although they're still sending a court summons.
Advert
"Even in this case, when permission was given, and the willingness of people to see a mural like this in full public view given the fire emergency, the state will still find it a threat to business as usual, and seek to forcefully limit its exposure."
He says he was simply trying to capture the face of a man who had simply had enough.
Paul saw the Channel 7 news crew as he was driving a fire truck and promptly stopped it to say his now iconic line.
"Tell the Prime Minister to go and get f***ed from Nelligen. We really enjoy doing this s***," he said.
Advert
The news network followed Paul as he continued his hard work to stop the bushfires going through his village. He was seen lying beside the road, having collapsed from exhaustion, according to Yahoo News.
The firefighter told the news crew: "I've lost seven houses already in Nelligen and I'm not going to lose anymore. Tell the PM to come and meet me - Paul Parker from Nelligen.
"Meet you any day, pal."
There was speculation that he might have lost his status as a volunteer firefighter as a result of the curt message but that rumour was shut down by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
Featured Image Credit: Channel 7Topics: News, Bushfires, Australia