A popular, wealthy Australian influencer has been branded 'tone-deaf' and 'uneducated' after sharing a bizarre post flaunting her wealth amid the country's fuel crisis.
Georgie Stevenson, 32, is an Instagram and YouTube star who promotes health, body positivity and has since built a multi‑million‑dollar empire thanks to her brand NU Harvest and her 'mindset and manifestation' app, Rise And Conquer.
In a since-deleted video shared to Instagram, Georgie sipped on an iced coffee in her kitchen alongside a caption criticising those complaining about soaring petrol prices across the country, which have reached $2.19 per litre for unleaded and $2.60 for diesel.
'Some people choose to complain about the cost of fuel,' she began.
'Other people chose to build their own success, co-own three companies and buy a [Porsche] at 28 years old. I'm other people.'
Georgie's post was met with furious Aussies who took to the comments to condemn what they called a 'tone‑deaf' statement.
'Some people complain because they literally have to choose between fuel and groceries. But hey, at least being delusional is free - that we CAN afford!' one angry follower wrote.
'Seriously... read the room. Calling people "complainers" while they are funding your lifestyle is wild. Go touch some grass.'
Another user added, 'As if you reposted this. A full [tank] of petrol for a family size car is up to $250+ for some families. That's the difference between putting food on the table and paying rent.
'Do you even know why fuel prices have gone up? Are you aware there is a war going on and people are dying? You're actually so ignorant and up your own a.'
'This is not the flex you think it is,' someone else shared.
'Go have a cup of water, touch some grass and understand "manifestation" doesn't help MOST things. It's a state of mind - not reality.'
Meanwhile, on Reddit, more added to the pile-on over the influencer's 'out of touch' comments.
'She is as tone deaf as they get. Has zero concept of the real world,' someone wrote.
Georgie's post was met with furious Aussies who took to the comments to slam her 'tone deaf' statement.
'She won't be this smug if we hit recession and no one can buy anything from her companies. May have to sell that Porsche,' added another.
One user said, 'This is so gross. I can't stand influencers who think they are better than everyone else,' while another commented, 'And I bet [she] has never worked a real job in her life. These influencers need to be cancelled.'
'How rude to rub it in others' faces about her financial status when a lot of Australia is suffering from this. With wealth comes greed,' they continued.
Georgie has removed the post from her social media and has yet to comment on the backlash.
The average price for petrol in Australia has seen a spike of 20 per cent since the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on February 28, killing its Supreme Leader and triggering a regional war.
The ongoing conflict led to Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which around 20 per cent of the world's oil supply travels.
Australia imports 90 per cent of its refined fuel mostly from Asia, but these countries get much of their crude oil from the Middle East.
The Albanese government insists that there is no fuel shortage, despite six bulk tankers from Asia calling off their shipments to Australia, and Energy Minister Chris Bowen admitting 'the flow of oil to Asian refineries has slowed'.
Meanwhile, on Reddit, more took aim at the influencer's 'out of touch' comments
The government also shot down talk of any WFH mandates after the International Energy Agency suggested working from home or driving more slowly to conserve fuel.
More Aussies could soon turn to public transport as a way to cope with the higher cost.
The main transport workers' union in NSW, the Rail Tram and Bus Union, is pushing for public transit to be made free until the fuel crisis is resolved.
Deakin Law School energy policy expert Professor Samantha Hepburn earlier told Daily Mail Australia that the country is particularly vulnerable to fuel shortages, as it only has two oil refineries.
Retired Royal Australian Air Force Vice Marshal John Blackburn also predicted Australians would have to 'adjust fuel consumption' and implement a 'type of rationing'.
'I had people in the Department of Energy tell me 10 years ago they didn't care if we didn't have any refineries because it was cheaper to import refined fuel,' he said.
Professor Blackburn added that recent panic buying 'had only made things worse' because 'our fuel system wasn't built for huge demand shocks like that'.