‘Toodle-pip’: Greens Senator Larissa Waters interview upstaged by LNP volunteer in Cairns
Tempers have flared at a pre-polling booth in Cairns with a Far North LNP powerbroker walking through a TV interview with senator Larissa Waters — then attempting to do so again a second time.
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Tempers have flared at a pre-polling booth in Cairns with a Far North LNP powerbroker walking through a TV interview with senator Larissa Waters — then attempting to do so again a second time.
But the longstanding volunteer has claimed he did nothing wrong.
Ms Waters joined Greens candidate for Leichhardt Phillip Musumeci in Bungalow on Monday to highlight the party’s housing policies and potential outcomes in the event of a minority government.
The Senator’s address was then interrupted by long-term LNP member Colin Ford shortly after it started, who strode through assembled media and in front of a television camera, forcing Ms Waters to stop and answer the question again.
The Coalition’s volunteer tried to walk through the press pack once more before a female journalist stepped in front of him to block his way.
“Thank you for stopping that ... Liberal volunteer from walking in front of the cameras when a woman is giving an interview,” Ms Waters said at the end of her interview.
“It’s a shame that women are the ones that have to step up and call out ... (what’s) on display and the sense of entitlement from the LNP.”
When approached about the incident, Mr Ford accused the Greens’ volunteers of standing in an area which officials have asked people to avoid.
“The district returning officer has asked us not to impede the disabled voting area,” he said.
“We are obeying that. These guys aren’t. I was just walking across. What’s wrong with that? It’s Australia. You’re still allowed to go where you like.”
Asked if it was rude to walk through the interview and then attempt to do so a second time, Mr Ford defended his actions.
“That’s a stupid question,” he told the female interviewer. “I just explained to you what happened. Now toodle-pip.”
After the incident, Mr Ford engaged in an animated conversation with Mr Musumeci, Ms Waters and another Greens volunteer for several minutes before walking away.
Mr Musumeci has preferenced the LNP fourth in Leichhardt, with the Legalise Cannabis Party’s Nicholas Daniels third and the ALP’s Matt Smith second.
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Originally published as ‘Toodle-pip’: Greens Senator Larissa Waters interview upstaged by LNP volunteer in Cairns
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