We’ve just had an incredibly fiery moment in the House of Representatives, as Liberal backbencher Garth Hamilton slammed his desk shut, called out “bullshit” and stormed out of the chamber as Labor frontbencher Kristy McBain sledged Opposition Leader Angus Taylor over comments made about the 2003 Snowy Mountains bushfires.
Responding to a question from the Labor backbench, McBain spoke about a report in this masthead that Taylor had been accused of delivering a “kick in the guts” to rural firefighters after claiming authorities deliberately allowed the devastating bushfires to burn because they were in a wilderness area.
“The leader of the opposition stood at a precipice in front of people and pointed the finger at rural firefighters, saying that they let the 2003 Snowy Mountains bush fires run,” McBain said.
“That is absolutely shameful. I am disgusted, and so are the first responders who have come into my office to complain about it, and I have a message for first responders-” McBain said before Hamilton called out and left the chamber.
In the aftermath, independent MP Zali Steggall called for Hamilton to be “named for unparliamentary behaviour”, a penalty rarely dished out to MPs.
The incident was very sudden and quick, and Speaker of the House Milton Dick said he was unable to make a judgement on the incident because of how quickly it took place.
“I genuinely did not see what occurred then. But if there has been an incident for the parliament, I will review footage, I will report to the House if necessary, but I’m asking everyone to rise to the challenge of representing their electorates and showing more dignity for this chamber,” Dick said.
