Liberals accuse Labor backbencher Sam Rae of ‘slur’ on floor of parliament

A furious deputy Liberal leader berated a Labor backbencher on the floor of parliament for a remark he allegedly made.

A frustrated Sussan Ley unleashed on a Labor backbencher. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

A Labor backbencher has been accused of throwing a “slur” at opposition early childhood spokeswoman Angie Bell as tensions boiled over in the House.

Ms Bell alleges during a debate in the chamber on the economy that Hawke MP Sam Rae interjected, yelling “at least I have my own children” across the chamber.

The comment was not audible on the official parliamentary recording of the incident but was allegedly heard by South Australian MP Tony Pasin. Ms Bell referred it to the Speaker for further inquiry.

Labor backbencher Sam Rae was accused of making the remark during a debate. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

In a personal explanation after question time, Mr Rae apologised for the interjection but denied he made such a comment.

“This is absolutely not correct. I accept interjections are always disorderly and apologise to the member for being disruptive during her speech,” he said.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley expressed her frustration over the alleged remark. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“My comments made absolutely no reference to the member herself. The comments that have been attributed by some to me were not made by me and would never be made by me.”

Ms Bell, who made history in 2019 as the first openly gay woman to be elected to a major party in the lower house, quickly hit back.

“I place on the record it was not an interjection, it was a slur on my family,” she said.

In the letter to Speaker Milton Dick, Ms Bell said Ms Rae’s alleged actions were not tenable with the Prime Minister’s promise to “lead a more respectful parliament”.

Opposition early childhood spokeswoman Angie Bell wrote to the Speaker after she was made aware of the comment.

“Members of the government continue to demonstrate that they are unable to treat Coalition women with respect.

“Given the findings of the Kate Jenkins report, I ask that you highlight the behaviour of the member for Hawke and remind members that this type of behaviour is unacceptable in any workplace,” she said.

Ms Ley stormed over to Mr Rae to give him a piece of her mind. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

As Mr Dick was informing the House he was satisfied with Mr Rae’s apology, deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley stormed over to the Labor backbench to confront him.

He sat silently while Mr Ley berated him and other Labor MPs got involved, furiously pointing their fingers at each other as tensions reached boiling point.

Ms Ley resumed her seat after the Speaker called the House to order.

In a statement, the deputy Liberal leader said the behaviour was “unacceptable”.