Labor MP Belinda Wilson apologises for verbal attack on Greens MP in parliament

Labor MP Belinda Wilson has apologised for a verbal spat with a Greens MP who backed a motion to debate the Andrews government’s line of questioning to the former IBAC boss.

Belinda Wilson (front) campaigning with Premier Daniel Andrews and Catherine Andrews in the lead up to last year’s Victorian election. Picture: Josie Hayden

A state government MP has apologised to Greens MP Tim Read after a verbal spat in parliament.

Labor’s Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson shouted at Dr Read outside the chamber after a fiery session in parliament on Thursday, the Herald Sun understands.

Dr Read had supported debating a motion put forward by shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien, for the lower house to condemn “the appalling conduct of the members for Bayswater, Narre Warren North and Hastings and member for Southern Metropolitan Ryan Batchelor for their politically motivated attempt to smear the Hon. Robert Redlich, former IBAC Commissioner, at a hearing of the Integrity and Oversight Committee”.

On Monday, Labor MPs on the oversight committee peppered Mr Redlich with questions about bullying and secret nondisclosure payouts.

In parliament on Thursday, Mr O’Brien said he had never witnessed an attempt to “smear such a respected and eminent Victorian as I witnessed at Monday’s Integrity and Oversight Committee hearing”.

Ms Wilson allegedly snapped at Greens MP Tim Read. Picture: David Crosling

Dr Read, who is the chair of the Integrity and Oversight Committee, said he supported debating the motion because committee members should be answerable for their choice of questions and their use of time before an expert witness in a parliamentary hearing.

“I believe that we should respond to what is discussed in this motion and we should not run away from it,” he said.

It’s understood that Ms Wilson approached Dr Read as he left the chamber and shouted at him.

It is unclear what was said.

After the incident, Liberal MP James Newbury called for the matter to be referred to lower house speaker Maree Edwards.

“Following a motion earlier, a number of incidents occurred behind the chamber,” he said in parliament.

“A number of government members, from both this place and the other place, harassed a member of this place.

“It was deeply distressing to members, both involved and witnessing. It was in the corridor just behind the chamber. There was shouting, there was clear harassment of the member, and it was, as I said, deeply distressing. We all want to work in a safe workplace.

“The behaviour that occurred only minutes ago just outside the chamber does require immediate – immediate – investigation, and it does need to be reported back to the house.”

The Herald Sun has been told that prior to the incident two Coalition MPs had been shouting at Ms Wilson before she snapped at Dr Read.

She has since apologised.

The government has refused to comment.

Both Dr Read and Ms Wilson declined to comment.