‘Paralytically drunk’: Outspoken MP’s extraordinary claim aired in parliament
Explosive accusations have been made in parliament suggesting an MP tried to drive home from parliament while “paralytically drunk”.
A New South Wales MP has been forced to defend suggestions she tried to drive home drunk from parliament after outspoken One Nation MP Mark Latham launched an explosive tirade against her during budget estimates on Tuesday.
Labor MP Anna Watson told parliament on Tuesday she “did drink too much alcohol” at parliament’s bar in late August but vehemently denies suggestions she tried to drive home.
In a budget estimates hearing, Mr Latham used his parliamentary privilege to level the allegations.
He said he witnesses Ms Watson “as drunk as anyone I’ve ever seen in my long time working in Parliament House”.
Mr Latham also claimed he said the member for Shellharbour screaming into her phone: “You’re too effing good for him, you’re too effing good for him”.
He asked the hearing whether a security report had been made about parliamentary staff allegedly needing to “stand in front of her car to stop her from driving home in that paralytic state”.
Labor’s Anthony D’Adam said Mr Latham’s questioning was “out of order” and “ filled with assumptions”.
“You’re making assertions about a member, the member is not in a position to defend themselves, you should desist from this line of questioning, it’s out of order,” he told the hearing.
Ms Watson later admitted she was drunk at the parliament bar with Mr Latham but denied any suggestion she attempted to drive – saying she was instead picked up by her husband.
“I was having a drink with Mr Latham in the Parliament House bar. I thought I had his ear and a shoulder to cry on that evening,” she said in a statement.
“I did drink too much alcohol during that extremely stressful and traumatic period, I recognise this. I did not attempt to drive or drive the car.”
Mr Latham said he raised the allegations because he didn’t feel Ms Watson should be on an advisory committee for the recent Broderick review which is tasked with investigating bullying, harassment and sexual assault in NSW parliament.
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