Kerryn Phelps says Scott Morrison was ‘shabby and disrespectful’ for walking out of her maiden speech

Independent MP Kerryn Phelps says Scott Morrison was “pretty shabby and disrespectful” for walking out of her maiden speech.

Kerryn Phelps delivering her Maiden Speech in the House of Representatives Chamber in Parliament House. Picture: Kym Smith

Independent MP Kerryn Phelps says Scott Morrison was “pretty shabby and disrespectful” for walking out of her maiden speech on Monday.

Dr Phelps, whose October win in Wentworth wiped out the Prime Minister’s parliamentary majority, was giving her first speech after question time when Mr Morrison and other senior frontbenchers left the chamber.

It is not uncommon for MPs to leave the chamber when question time concludes, but commentators have asked if it was politically wise for Mr Morrison to walk out on a key crossbencher while he is in minority government.

“I thought Scott Morrison walking out of the chamber for my maiden speech was disrespectful to the people of Wentworth,” Dr Phelps said today.

“I thought it was pretty shabby and disrespectful behaviour.”

Newly-elected Independent MP for the seat of Wentworth Kerryn Phelps is congratulated by Josh Frydenberg and fellow Liberal MPs after her maiden speech.

Kerryn Phelps is congratulated by Bill Shorten after her maiden speech.

The Prime Minister’s office have been contacted for comment.

Dr Phelps is currently at the centre of questions about the role of her predecessor in Wentworth, Malcolm Turnbull, in the government’s current minority government woes.

The Australian revealed today that the former prime minister has been in regular contact with Dr Phelps and members of his staff have led an office handover.

Dr Phelps today said she has only discussed constituency matters with Mr Turnbull and there are no plans for any of his former staff to work for her long-term.

“Of course I have (been in contact with Mr Turnbull). He is the former member for Wentworth and wants to make sure there’s an orderly handover,” Dr Phelps told Sky News.

.@drkerrynphelps has confirmed she has been in contact with @TurnbullMalcolm since becoming the member for Wentworth.

'Of course I have. He is the former member for Wentworth and wants to make sure there's an orderly handover.

MORE: https://t.co/2X7LH9POfb #AMagenda pic.twitter.com/SfotE0iofO

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 28, 2018

“Obviously people have conservations about what’s going on in the electorate and locally.”

When asked if they had discussed Julia Banks’ recent defection from the Liberal Party to the crossbench, Dr Phelps said: “No, no, no.”

.@drkerrynphelps: @juliabanksmp reached out to me for consultation about what leaving might look like and I offered her support in her transition to the crossbench. The advice she sought and contact she had with others is a matter for her.

MORE: https://t.co/2X7LH9POfb #AMagenda pic.twitter.com/hn9Ujima2E

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 28, 2018