Key Labor caucus meeting descended into acrimony amid heated Voice row between government MPs, including Deputy Premier

A snap meeting of Labor MPs this week descended into acrimony during internal debate about the Indigenous Voice legislation, it is claimed.

A meeting of Labor MPs this week descended into acrimony during internal debate about the Voice legislation, sources say.

In the third Labor leak in fewer than three months, Deputy Premier Susan Close had a heated conversation with Upper House MP Irene Pnevmatikos during the snap 7.30pm meeting on Monday.

Sources said Dr Close, also Environment Minister, took exception to the backbench MP’s concerns at the special online caucus meeting on the new laws, accusing her at one point: “how dare you”.

One senior government source described it as “chaos”.

Premier Peter Malinauskas shakes hands with Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher in the Upper House of Parliament after a bill to legislate Australia’s first Voice to Parliament for First Nations People has been introduced in South Australia. Susan Close is in red. Picture: State Government

It is understood concerns centred on the last-minute nature of the meeting, before the legislation for a greater Indigenous voice was tabled in parliament.

“Irene cracked the sh**s about it so hard that Susan cracked it at her,” one source said.

The state government announced on Tuesday a bill to create a First Nations Voice to Parliament, an advisory body made up of elected First Nations people, which was introduced to the Upper House on Thursday.

The final bill incorporates some amendments to a draft bill released last year, including the addition of specific committees representing young people, elders, Native Title holders and members of the Stolen Generations.

Deputy Leader Susan Close. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Irene Pnevmatikos made her displeasure known. Picture: ALP

It also includes a provision to allow the Voice to address parliament on specific bills.

A special caucus meeting – a regular gathering of Labor MPs – was called for Monday because Premier Peter Malinauskas and Attorney-General Kyam Maher were due to front the media on Tuesday.

A frustrated Premier told the meeting he would be “taking it offline” while Mr Maher attempted to “hose everyone down”.

Caucus leader backbencher MP Leon Bignell also defended Mr Maher, sources said.

“Irene may have been complaining but it was valid,” said another source.

“It was another last minute meeting with an expected vote.”

Neither Dr Close nor Ms Pnevmatikos would comment.

It is the second internal Labor backlash since November, when Mr Malinauskas was hit with MP concerns about the LIV Golf tournament.

SA Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, Nunga Court elder Aunty Yvonne Agius and Attorney-General Kyam Maher announce two Indigenous magistrates. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Senior government sources have denied internal claims a “crisis” meeting between new female MPs – dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” – the Premier and his top advisers became “heated” over the golf issue.

A leaked agenda paper in December showed a “what’s worked, what hasn’t” item.

The premier’s office would not comment on that meeting.