Michael O’Brien: ‘It is not for the A-G to treat us like kindergarten children and tell us what she wants to tell us about’

Tensions have boiled over as the opposition cut short a “farce” briefing with the government on the proposed new bail laws, leaving Labor with an uphill battle to rush through the legislation.

Jacinta Allan is facing an uphill battle to rush through major bail changes through the parliament this week after the opposition cut short a briefing with the government on the proposed new laws.

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien accused Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny of treating the opposition like “kindergarten children” after she refused to hand over a copy of the bail legislation, which will be introduced to parliament on Tuesday.

Under changes to bail laws announced last week, courts will be mandated to remand repeat offenders and apply tougher tests that puts community safety first.

Tensions boiled over on Monday afternoon when Mr O’Brien cut short a briefing with Ms Kilkenny and Police Minister Anthony Carbines.

Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny was accused of treating the opposition like ‘kindergarten children’. Picture: Aaron Francis

It is standard practice for non-government MPs to be provided legislation before a Bill briefing, so they have an opportunity to read the material and then ask clarifying questions.

But in this case, Mr O’Brien wasn’t handed the legislation.

Mr O’Brien accused Ms Kilkenny of “reneging” on a promise to provide the legislation before they met.

Opposition sources said the government was either incompetent and hadn’t finished drafting the legislation or they wanted to wedge the opposition into supporting “bad legislation”.

In a scathing email to the Coalition party room on Monday afternoon, Mr O’Brien urged his colleagues to “not participate in the farce masquerading as a Bill briefing”.

Michael O'Brien accused Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny of treating the opposition like ‘kindergarten children’. Picture: David Crosling

“The government has not met its commitment to provide us with a copy of the Bill prior to today’s meeting,” he wrote in the email, which was obtained by the Herald Sun.

“A Bill briefing is an opportunity for the Opposition, having read and considered the Bill, to have its questions answered.

“It is not for the A-G to treat us like kindergarten children and tell us what she wants to tell us about a Bill that she will not let us see.

“They are disorganised and arrogant. We won’t be dignifying their poor conduct.”

A briefing on the proposed new bail laws was cut short.

On Monday, Premier Jacinta Allan urged the opposition to support the legislation with “the same urgency that is being expected of the parliament from the Victorian community”.

A government spokeswoman said Mr O’Brien would be provided with a copy of the legislation on Monday night.

“Michael O’Brien’s colleagues were interested to know more about our Bill as soon as possible — Mr O’Brien was more interested in throwing a tantrum and making his colleagues log off,” she said.

“If he and his colleagues can put aside petty politics for one moment, they will be offered another briefing.”

Originally published as Michael O’Brien: ‘It is not for the A-G to treat us like kindergarten children and tell us what she wants to tell us about’