'Fool, ignoramus': Parliamentary committee suspended as senators clash

A Liberal senator called point of order after several insults directed at Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie. Labor senator Glenn Sterle later apologised, stating he regretted the language as a result of "frustrations boiling over". Senate estimates will continue until next week. Link copiedShareShare articleA parliamentary committee has been suspended after a clash between the Labor chair Glenn Sterle and Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, during which he called her an ignoramus, a fool and said he would "cut her up" in a debate. Senator McKenzie was questioning the Department of Infrastructure and Transport about road funding, when she said the truck industry would be unhappy with the federal government's approach to the fuel excise and taxes on small business. It prompted a heated argument with Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport committee chair and Labor senator Glenn Sterle, who later apologised for "frustrations boiling over". Senator Sterle initially offered to debate Senator McKenzie on the policies "in any forum, in any state, anywhere in Australia … cause I'll cut ya up". Glenn Sterle called Bridget McKenzie a fool, in a 2-minute heated debate. (AAP: Lukas Coch) "You'll cut me up?" Senator McKenzie questioned. "Metaphorically, yes. I'll carve you up, is what I should say," he responded. Mr Sterle later said he was always happy to defend the government but regretted "using a few of my choice words", stating he took them back. The argument between the two senators lasted a couple of minutes, with Senator Sterle at one point standing up and asking whether he could trade spots with the department they were supposed to be questioning. "Can I come and sit down there minister? Can we swap? And I can educate the ignoramus from the other side here," he said, pointing at Senator McKenzie. The federal government will be unveiling the legislation for long-awaited Parliamentary Standards Commission. Senator McKenzie attempted to return to her line of questioning, but Mr Sterle's interjections continued. He accused Senator McKenzie of "lying through her teeth" about travel expenses, following revelations she used parliamentary entitlements to partially fund expenses during a four-day trip to Tasmania for her son's wedding. As the exchange between the pair escalated, Mr Sterle said, "If you're gonna be making accusations, do your homework because you look like a fool in front of everyone." He then proceeded to suggest taking a poll on whether Ms McKenzie should be infrastructure minister. Liberal Senator Paul Scarr interrupted, calling point of order for the language, with Mr Sterle suggesting the committee take a brief suspension. In 2024, the Albanese government passed sweeping changes to enforce stricter behaviour codes for politicians and staff, which are enforced by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission. Parliamentary expense records show that at the end of a sitting week in February 2023, Senator McKenzie flew to Melbourne then Tasmania. She billed taxpayers $645.99 for the flight and initial night of accommodation in Launceston, where she reportedly held a press conference. The Monday after the nuptials, she charged taxpayers $207.53 for the flight back to Melbourne, an expense she didn't declare for more than a year after the wedding. The shadow transport minister admits she received 16 free flight upgrades that she failed to declare, after previously claiming she had never received a complimentary upgrade. McKenzie has defended the travel as part of legitimate opposition business and maintains that taxpayers did not cover any personal activities or costs associated with the wedding. It is not the first time that Senator McKenzie has been accused of misusing parliamentary expenses and travel entitlements In 2024, the Coalition frontbencher apologised and updated her parliamentary log, after failing to declare 16 flight upgrades. Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionTop StoriesNeale Daniher, former AFL player and motor neurone disease campaigner, dies aged 65Topic:AFL

'Fool, ignoramus': Parliamentary committee suspended as senators clash

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