The invisible Minns: anger at Labor leader’s absence for euthanasia votes

NSW Labor leader angers some of his party for night disappearance from parliament, avoiding series of voluntary assisted dying votes.

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has angered members of his own party for disappearing from parliament on Thursday night and avoiding a series of historic votes on a bill to legalise voluntary assisted dying.

Mr Minns was absent while parliamentarians were forced to stay for late-night debate and voting over the controversial legislation, which passed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday afternoon but required further scrutiny over 167 amendments.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet remained in the building until approximately midnight to vote with other MPs, routinely appearing in the chamber to vote on each division. These occurred numerous times each hour.

Mr Minns did not vote on any of the amendments. H is understood to have attended an official function in Parliament House about 6.30pm, according to some Labor MPs. He did not participate in voting at the conclusion of that event.

He was similarly absent from the Legislative Assembly on Friday morning for additional voting in relation to the bill, which involved a conscience vote of MPs.

A number of Labor colleagues who spoke to The Australian said Mr Minns’ decision not to vote on the amendments was uncharacteristic of a party leader.

“If it’s good enough for the premier to stay and vote on amendments, why is it not good enough for him,” said one Labor official.

Another described the Labor caucus as “deeply divided” while a third said Mr Minns’ absence from the parliament signalled a lack of good judgment.

“He didn’t show leadership during debate on one of the most significant pieces of legislation that may ever pass this parliament,” they said.

Mr Minns was contacted for comment.

Colleagues further noted the Labor leader’s absence during two valedictory speeches given this week by former deputy premier John Barilaro and former transport minister Andrew Constance, both of whom mentioned Mr Minns and wished him well.

Valedictory speeches are traditionally attended by all members of either the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council. It is deemed a convention for MPs, from all sides of politics, to then line up and personally congratulate the departing politician.

Mr Constance said: “To Chris Minns, wherever you are — he is probably not here — I wish you and your team well. Individually, members opposite are all great people; collectively, they are terrible people. I had to get that in — I had planned it. Chris Minns is not even here to receive it. He must be downstairs doing a press conference.”

Labor MPs said it was improper for Mr Minns not to have been present in the chamber for those speeches, although he was present for the valedictory speech of former Labor leader Jodi McKay.

Mr Minns was elected unopposed as leader of NSW Labor in June following the resignation of Ms McKay, who subsequently announced her resignation from parliament.