Newly minted Labor MP Lucy Hood under Liberal fire over parliamentary leave to officiate family wedding

Labor has accused the opposition of hypocrisy after a rising star MP was accused of asking for time off to “to run her own business”.

One of Labor’s rising star politicians is under opposition fire for taking time off from state parliament to officiate at her cousin’s wedding.

MP for Adelaide Lucy Hood, 36, will miss government business on Thursday to oversee the family wedding as celebrant.

Despite agreeing to her request on June 20, the opposition accused her of “pulling a swiftie to attend a social event on the taxpayers’ dime”.

Labor MP Lucy Hood with couple Millie and Pete. Picture: Instagram

The criticism sparked an angry response from the state government and Ms Hood, who said her celebrant job was a gift for cousin Isabella.

The mother-of-two, a former journalist and political advisor who earns $206,985 a year, sought a “pair” that grants an MP leave if they are ill or on official business. An opposing MP is also absent for any votes or debate.

But opposition whip David Pisoni, who organises Liberal MPs in parliament, said Premier Peter Malinauskas must explain the special treatment for Ms Hood, who has been in parliament “for all but two seconds”.

“So is she already bored and looking for additional opportunities instead of committing to representing the people of Adelaide full time,” he said.

“It’s not a good look for her and it’s embarrassing for (Mr) Malinauskas because he promised (she) ‘will be a strong voice in parliament’.

“Well, (she) can’t be a voice … if she’s abandoning parliament to run her own business. The people of Adelaide deserve to know how often she’ll be missing parliament to service her clients.”

But Ms Hood, who has disclosed her celebrant work in her official register of interests, fired back.

“I’m attending my cousin’s wedding, which is a long-standing family commitment, booked well before the state election,” she said.

“Those who know me, know how important family is to me. I am not being paid to be the celebrant, it’s a gift to my cousin.

“This is a new low from David Pisoni, attacking me for attending a family wedding. If (he) had an issue, why did he approve the pair in the first place?”

A government spokeswoman also lashed at the opposition’s hypocrisy.

“I’ll note Opposition Leader David Speirs missed an entire day of parliament last month to fly to Sydney and speak at a conservative conference,” she said.

“The former premier Steven Marshall has also been notably absent during question time on many occasions.

“The opposition should look at its own track record before throwing stones.”

Labor did not oppose Mr Speirs’ absence for the climate change conference in his current environment role.

An opposition spokesman said he looked forward to a Labor policy “where every person gets a paid day off to attend a family member’s wedding”.