ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

In an ironic twist, people around the world are now picking up after the dumb boomers who’ve done their level best to destroy the planet, creating an online movement dubbed #trashtag in the process.

The internet phenomenon showcases a variety of before and after photographs of once-polluted areas that are now clean and tidy – thanks to the efforts of young meme enthusiasts.

And now that movement has arrived in Canberra.

Earlier today, hoards of ordinary Australians decended on our nation’s capital in an effort to rid it of litter and general garbage.

They started with Parliament House on Capital Hill, where after a few hours of elbow grease and good-old-fashioned Millennial work ethic, the nation’s decision centre was placed into the bin.

Speaking this afternoon from a Yarralumla ‘beach’, the event’s organiser said today has been a long day but it’s all been worth it for the retweets and hearts.

“We started to run out of bags when we got to the Senate wing,” said Mike Pooley of CleanUp! Canberra.

“But we powered on through and put both Houses and every elected official into the bin,”

“Ahead of the election, too. I think I speak for most Australians when I say that we’re tired of politics on the whole. Perhaps we should spend the next three years with local government as the highest form of governance in the land? Could you see your local mayor being a war lord? I know I could,”

“But I dunno. I think when the going gets tough, the inner-city leftie will be the first neck on the proverbial chopping block. Soft hands, soft hearts. Anyway Errol, have a nice trip back to Betoota.”

More to come.

