Legislate Council president condemns government MP’s tweet as ‘disgusting drivel’
The President of the Legislative Council has launched a broadside at a Liberal backbencher and the Government’s media unit, describing a social media post as “disgusting drivel” and demanding an apology. Details.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The President of the Legislative Council has launched a broadside at a Liberal backbencher and the Government’s Media Unit, describing a social media post as “disgusting drivel” and demanding an apology.
Labor MP Craig Farrell used his casting vote as presiding officer on Wednesday to adjourn debate on the government’s legislation relating to the proposed Macquarie Point stadium – delaying the passage of the bill.
A subsequent post on X (formerly Twitter) from Liberal House of Assembly MP Dean Young claiming he was acting on behalf of Opposition leader Rebecca White prompted the President’s ire.
In a statement to the Legislative Council, Mr Farrell angrily rejected the comments and demanded they be withdrawn.
“These comments contain statements that are completely untrue and personally derogatory,” he said.
“A social media post from a newly elected member of the House of Assembly stated ‘Labor has just used their casting vote in the upper house to delay progress on the stadium. Bec White didn’t have the guts to do it herself. Instead, she’s forced one of her colleagues to do her dirty work’.
“What disgusting drivel. Completely wrong on all fronts.”
Mr Farrell explained that the convention that the presiding officer in the Legislative Council used their casting vote to allow further consideration of a bill – and he had followed that convention.
“I would encourage this member from signing off on poorly researched political rubbish without understanding the parliament and the role of the presiding officer.
“This mudslinging shows the very worst side of parliamentarians and illustrates the lack of knowledge and parliamentary procedure that some members have.
“Absolutely appalling behaviour.”
A response to Mr Farrell’s comments was sought from the government.
Tasmanian World War II prisoners of war honoured
While serving in Timor in 1942, members of the 2/40th Infantry Battalion – made up almost entirely of Tasmanians – were being closed in on by Japanese forces and faced with a choice: surrender or face bombing.
Freight scheme 25-years-old and not “fit-for-purpose”, producers say
For cherry grower Nic Hansen, it costs 50 per cent more to ship his produce from a Grove orchard to Melbourne than it does from Melbourne to Hong Kong. The urgent changes needed to the state’s freight scheme.