Repeatedly pressed by talkback host Alan Jones to outline Australia's tax levels, Mr Bowen was unable to identify the $18,200 figure as Australia's tax-free threshold.
In the fumbling interview on Sky News, Mr Bowen appeared visibly uncomfortable as Jones pressured him to prove his knowledge of Australia's tax structure.
Jones eventually gave the shadow treasurer the answer, before berating his credentials as would-be treasurer.
"This is a serious issue. The man wants to be the treasurer of Australia but he doesn't know the tax thresholds."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten conceded Mr Bowen had made a mistake but suggested it was the result of a late night interview at the end of a "long day".
(this from ol' "I don't know what she said but I support whatever it is that she said")
"Chris does know the tax free threshold of $18,200, he certainly at the end of a long day at 8.30 last night went into an interview with Alan Jones, I think that's a sign of his commitment, I probably think of other things he could do on a Tuesday night at 8.30 than be interviewed by Alan Jones but he did," he told reporters in Melbourne.
It follows a similar gaffe made by the new Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who couldn't name the rate of the GST. The State Labor leader later blamed the mistake on not having enough coffee that morning.
Where's the Media outrage and derision for these gaffes by the Opposition? Oh it was a lack of sleep or a lack of coffee.
No such consideration would apply to Mr Abbott and his team, of course.
