The Entrance Labor MP David Mehan kicked out of parliament for swearing at coast rival

The debate over flood management of Tuggerah Lakes reached boiling point in NSW parliament with a Central Coast Labor MP booted from the chamber for swearing. See the heated exchange.

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The Entrance state Labor MP David Mehan was ejected from NSW Parliament after calling Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch “f**king hopeless”.

Mr Mehan was ordered out of the Legislative Assembly last night after a heated conversation between he and Mr Crouch over the management of Tuggerah Lakes and The Entrance Channel in light of recent flooding.

Mr Mehan called Mr Crouch a “big mouth”, “joke” and “effing hopeless”. He was riled up by comments made from Mr Crouch regarding Central Coast Council and Mr Mehan’s inaction on the issue.

Mr Mehan told the Express he got angry when Mr Crouch used the opportunity to continue the blame game and attack council.

Mr Mehan owned his actions after the event. Picture: Sue Graham

Mr Crouch said he was shocked by Mr Mehan’s language. Picture: Troy Snook

“I got angry on behalf of my constituents as what I see as inaction,” he said. “I acknowledge the unparliamentary language. I am entirely responsible for my actions. It was as a result of people playing games instead of fixing problems.”

He said he had been raising the issue of flood risks at Tuggerah Lakes with both the State Government and the council prior to the flooding.

“They keep pointing the finger at each other and then my constituents copped the flood,” he said.

“Just two weeks before the floods, my Labor colleagues and I sent a letter to the council CEO on the matter of flood risks and heard nothing back.”

Mr Mehan said he had been contacting Central Coast Council and the State Government about flood risks before the recent flooding. Picture: @photoslog

Mr Crouch released a statement today saying he was shocked by the language used by Mr Mehan.

“The Member for the Entrance continually interjected during a debate about The Entrance channel and resorted to using foul language,” he said.

“The people of the Central Coast may be resilient, but what they will not tolerate is bad behaviour from their elected representatives.”

The heated exchange started with Mr Crouch responding to a statement delivered by Wyong state Labor MP David Harris about Tuggerah Lakes, outlining the history of the lakes management and saying the State Government and council hadn’t done “any significant work” in the last decade.

The conversation in full from Hansard

Mr Crouch: I highlight to the member for Wyong that six times since 2019 — on 26 February, 26 March, 8 October, 11 February, 25 November and 9 December — motions were raised in council to look at addressing the issues with regard to dredging and the quality of the lakes.

Mr Mehan: What have you done, Big Mouth? You’ve done nothing.

Mr Crouch Unfortunately, those motions were blocked by the Labor and The Greens councillors on Central Coast Council. It is very interesting that members opposite come in here and cry crocodile tears.

Mr Mehan: You’re a joke. Sit down and stop wasting the whole world’s time.

Mr Crouch: The first time the member for The Entrance actually did anything in 4.5 years was when this incident came up. He has done absolutely nothing and has been missing in action for 4.5 years on this issue. His councillors, the Labor councillors, blocked every single motion to address this issue. This is Ettalong revisited.

Mr Crouch during the heated argument.

Mr Mehan: You need to fund it. You got them into this situation, you dope.

Mr Crouch: You guys blocked the funding for Ettalong and you have done it for The Entrance.

Mr Mehan: You haven’t got a clue. You didn’t open your mouth until after the floods.

Mr Crouch: You should be ashamed of yourself. You are totally out of your depth, buddy.

Mr Mehan: You are f**king hopeless.

Mr Crouch: Sorry, what was that?

Mr Mehan: You are hopeless. You are effing hopeless.

Temporary Speaker Ms Sonia Hornery: I direct the member for The Entrance to remove himself from the Chamber for a period of one hour. I will not accept that language. The member for Terrigal can say what he likes in response to a private member’s statement, but what he said was also very controversial.

Mr Adam Crouch: I would never use unparliamentary language like that.

Ms Hornery: I am glad. Let us learn a lesson from that.