swan: abbott drunk, slept through crucial vote

[not_an_eloi]

WAYNE Swan has accused Tony Abbott of being "drunk" and of missing a crucial vote in the House of Representatives on the economy in 2009.
In a fiery question time in which both Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd were absent for Hazel Hawke's memorial service in Sydney, Treasurer Wayne Swan fielded a question from the opposition's Joe Hockey on the apparent "failure" of Labor's economic policies.

Mr Swan said the Coalition was focused on "talking down" the Australian economy and said the Opposition Leader had previously missed a vote on backing in Labor's stimulus package.

"The Leader of the Opposition slept right through the critical vote, he was drunk, and didn't come into the house - he slept right through that vote," Mr Swan said.

The vote Mr Swan was referring to was initially reported in The Sunday Telegraph in March 2009.

It involved the $42 billion fiscal stimulus package, brought forward by Kevin Rudd.

Mr Abbott told Chief Opposition Whip Alex Somlyay that he missed five divisions on the night of Thursday, February 12 because he fell asleep in his office.

His nap followed dinner in the Members' Dining Room with Peter Costello, Kevin Andrews and Peter Dutton

Mr Abbott said he and the group had consumed a couple of bottles of wine but denied he had fallen asleep because of the alcohol consumed.   read more 'ere:

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national-news/federal-election/wayne-swan-accuses-tony-abbott-of-being-drunk-...

[lakeland27]

i happened to be watching , and it looked as if they expected it because the reaction from coalition mp's was subdued if anything. it seems to be true judging from the faux outrage (that didn't last).

[mtnlane]

I happened to be watching also and I disagree with you LL.

The Speaker reacted concurrently with Pyne getting up to object and she told Pyne to sit down.  He was immediately asked to withdraw his accusation and when he continued his veiled assertions, Burke warned him.

At that stage there was little point in further objecting.

[nero_bolt]

Here LL sweetie your forgot your warning for your post.... 🙂

i happened to be watching , and it looked as if they expected it because the reaction from coalition mp's was subdued if anything. it seems to be true judging from the faux outrage (that didn't last).

[lakeland27]

I happened to be watching also and I disagree with you LL.

The Speaker reacted concurrently with Pyne getting up to object and she told Pyne to sit down.  He was immediately asked to withdraw his accusation and when he continued his veiled assertions, Burke warned him.

At that stage there was little point in further objecting.

yes, but pyne does that every day.. on every question. a rather ordinary session i'd say.

[lakeland27]

besides , he wouldn't be the first.

[mtnlane]

We will have to agree to disagree LL.  

I thought Swan's performance today was unsurprisingly appalling and most unparliamentary. Burkes request for Swan to withdraw his comment and then her subsequent warning to him was justified in my opinion.

[catsnknots]

I watched it and It oozed desperation in my opinion... 

The speaker was onto it faster than the opposition... she went off her nut squawking like she usually does at those to her left... only this time it was to him on her right. 

it just seems that the Government will lower its standards even further than they ever had just to change the headlines. 

[fiestas*girl]

it is true. I recall when it occured, it was the subject of much discussion around the big house

disgraceful, a member of parliament, the opposition leader no less...too pissed to stay awake for a crucial vote....

[donnashuggy]

Maybe Abbott's campaign slogan should be 'bring back the biff' 😉