Anthony Albanese accused of ‘bullying, humiliating’ female MP in dramatic scenes

It began as a fiery exchange with Anthony Albanese outdoing Peter Dutton on his knowledge of Queensland. But a shock twist has seen the Prime Minister accused of bullying and humiliating a female MP.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been accused of hypocrisy, bullying and humiliating a female MP in front of the nation, after a fiery exchange in Parliament over the pronunciation of a central Queensland area took a more serious turn.

Speaker Milton Dick reviewed the video following a complaint that Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry had left the chamber “in tears and a state of high distress”, but said he did not see Mr Albanese disrespect Ms Landry.

Ms Landry, backed by about 14 female MPs from the National and Liberal parties, is demanding an apology in Parliament from Mr Albanese, saying his “yelling and pointing” was unacceptable behaviour in a professional workplace.

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry says she was humiliated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

The incident began with the Sydney-based Prime Minister challenging Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on his knowledge of central Queensland locations.

Ms Landry asked Mr Albanese in Question Time about delays to the Rockhampton Ring Road, which prompted Mr Albanese to speak about a previous Labor Government’s investment in the Yeppen flood plain.

A sledge from Mr Dutton backfired when he said the area was pronounced “Yeppoon”, a separate area to Yeppen.

“Yeppen flood plain. Yeppoon’s a different place,” Mr Albanese fired back.

“And you might want to ask the Member for Capricornia, because Yeppoon is on the coast north of Rockhampton and Yeppen flood plain is to the south.

“It’s the southern entry of the Bruce Highway into Rockhampton.

“Queenslander! Queenslander! Says it all. Because I know about Queensland roads.

“You were in government for almost a decade and you haven’t dug a hole.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese goes on the attack. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

The initial comments from Mr Albanese appeared to be directed at Mr Dutton, and Labor sources have said the video shows this.

But Ms Landry, backed by several of her colleagues, said other statements and finger-pointing were directed towards her as well.

“He was yelling at Peter, but he was definitely and he was yelling at me. He was pointing at me and I’ve been humiliated in front of the whole parliament,” she said.

“All his MPs, females included in that, were screaming, laughing and pointing and yelling as well.

“I have two daughters, and if I don’t stand up against this bullying in the Parliament, they just won’t have respect for me.”

Ms Landry said she received a call from Mr Albanese who said he did not mean to upset her.

But she called for him to apologise in Parliament, and said the incident showed the hypocrisy of the left wing of politics.

Speaker Milton Dick agreed to a request from deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley to review the incident.

“(Michelle Landry) has left the chamber in tears and in a state of high distress,” Ms Ley said.

“I ask you to review the video of the Prime Minister, his response to the Member for Capricornia and review the appropriateness of the tone of that response.”

Mr Dutton told The Courier-Mail he knew where the Yeppen flood plain was, but that Mr Albanese’s response reminded him of the Kevin Rudd “marone versus maroon” moment while speaking about the State of Origin.

Mr Albanese’s office has been contacted for comment.

Mr Dick said he reviewed the footage of Mr Albanese’s response to Ms Landry.

“During the answer the Prime Minister was also directly responding to interjections from the Leader of the Opposition,” he said.

“In reviewing the footage I did not see the Prime Minister show any disrespect to the Member for Capricornia.

“Of the footage of the Member for Capricornia that I was able to review, she appeared engaged in the response of the Prime Minister.”