Remember when: New Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek got wolf whistles in parliament

WATCH out Lawrence Springborg — there was a new hunk in Parliament, and this time he came from the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 2004, June 18. Front page.

Gold Coast Bulletin, Friday June 18, 2004

WATCH out Lawrence Springborg — there was a new hunk in Parliament, and this time he came from the Gold Coast.

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek caused an uproar when he ran into State Parliament wearing just tight shorts and a skimpy singlet which, to the amusement of some and the appreciation of others, revealed tanned, well-muscled arms.

The then-43-year-old former dentist was caught with his pants down and suit jacket off when a division was called for an unexpected vote just before lunch.

Mr Langbroek had been working out in the Parliament House gym when the bells started ringing and he had just four minutes to sprint to the chamber to vote.

His arrival caused temperatures to soar and the chamber to erupt into a roar of guffaws and wolf whistles.

Mr Langbroek squirmed uncomfortably as Labor MPs accused him of trying to steal the National Party leader’s newly-acquired sex symbol tag.

``Where’s the ironing board,’’ yelled one wag, referring to the famous photograph taking during that year’s state election campaign of a shirtless Mr Springborg ironing.

Another Labor MP smugly warned: ``I bet you won’t be doing that in working hours again,’’ conveniently forgetting many Labor MPs were already out feeding their faces when the division was called.

``It was an uproar when I got in there, it was like a ripple that just went around,’’ said a rueful Mr Langbroek later.

``I told them I had been in the gym where some of those Members should be as well.”