Coalition MPs apologise over ‘disgusting incident’ with female parliament attendant

Coalition politicians have been forced to make formal apologies in the lower house after what was described as ‘a disgusting incident’ saw a female attendant injured.

Coalition frontbencher Angus Taylor. Picture: Getty Images

Coalition politicians have been forced to make formal apologies in the lower house after what was described as “a disgusting incident” saw a female attendant injured after the MPs attempted to rush from the chamber.

A group of Coalition MPs on Tuesday tried to leave the chamber during the second reading of a social security amendment bill regarding income management reforms following cancellation of the cashless welfare card.

It is understood they were trying to exit the chamber before the division was called so they could abstain from voting on the bill, which successfully passed the house later that night.

As the Coalition MP’s rushed for the exit, they tried to push past a parliamentary staff member, injuring her arm in the process.

Speaker Milton Dick said he was “disgusted” by the behaviour and would not tolerate it. “For a staff member of this place to be treated in this way, when they are simply doing their job, is disrespectful and very serious,” he said.

The MPs involved in the incident included frontbenchers Andrew Hastie and Ted O’Brien, while Queensland MP Llew O’Brien and Victorian MPs Zoe McKenzie and Sam Birrell were also among those who left.

Ms McKenzie said she “deeply regretted” any impact caused to a staff member involved, while Llew O’Brien said he “unreservedly apologised” to the woman injured.

“Staff here in the chamber do an incredible job and one of them is not crowd control. I apologise to them for that,” he said.

Coalition frontbenchers Dan Tehan and Angus Taylor were among those who gave an apology on Wednesday, but they were apologising for trying to leave after the Speaker ordered the chamber doors to be closed – not for being involved in the physical altercation itself.

“I left the house and I apologise for my conduct,” Mr Tehan said.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said she was taking the incident seriously and it was “appropriate” that the MPs involved apologised unreservedly.

It follows Ms Ley spending the week criticising Labor for the behaviour of its MPs against numerous Coalition women over the sitting fortnight.

Mr Dick said he was “committed to ensuring all staff that worked in the building were safe at work … I have requested the Department of Parliamentary Ser­vices (to) conduct an urgent risk assessment in relation to the work of parliamentary staff in the chamber to ensure all staff are guaranteed of its safety in the workplace,” he said after question time on Wednesday.

“In addition, I’ll be writing to all members reminding them of their obligations to treat this chamber and parliamentary staff with respect. This is not only an expectation of me but what I believe is an expectation of all Australians.”

Mr Dick confirmed he met with former sex discrimination commissioner and author of the Set the Standard report Kate Jenkins to discuss the incident.

Warringah independent Zali Steggall grilled Mr Dick on whether he had referred the issue to the parliamentary leadership taskforce, in particular with respect to implementation of the code of conduct for members of parliament endorsed last month.

Mr Dick confirmed he would refer “any relevant information regarding the incident” to the leadership taskforce, which includes MPs from all sides.

The Australian understands that the Department of Parliamentary Services hosted a mental health and burnout “training session” for parliamentary staff on Wednesday.

The three-hour online session, open to staff and parliamentarians, involved workshops to help identify “signs for potential mental health problems”.