Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce needs to explain himself after being filmed lying on a footpath in Canberra's entertainment precinct late at night.
Footage published on Friday by the Daily Mail showed the federal MP lying on the ground on the phone after he appeared to have fallen off a planter box on Lonsdale Street in Braddon.
Mr Joyce said the incident was "very embarrassing" and happened when he was walking back to his accommodation after parliament had risen late at 10pm.
"While on the phone I sat on the edge of a plant box, fell over, kept talking on the phone, and very animatedly was referring to myself for having fallen over," he told the ABC in a statement.
"I got up and walked home."
Loading...The prime minister firstly said the incident was a matter for the Nationals party, avoiding making a comment when asked about it during a radio interview on Friday.
But asked again on Sunday, Mr Albanese said Mr Joyce should explain himself.
"It is up to Barnaby Joyce to explain the circumstances around this," Mr Albanese said.
"People will certainly make their own judgements on that.
"People will see that footage, they will look for an explanation that has some credibility and they'll look for leadership from the leader of the Liberal Party and the leader of the Nationals Party about this."
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he would have a conversation with Mr Joyce about the incident this week, but suggested someone should have helped him.
"It's pretty rough when people are walking past somebody who might be in need of support," he said.
"I understand a chalk mark has been drawn on the footpath – it can only happen in Canberra where all those Greens and Labor staffers are."
Mr Dutton said Nationals leader David Littleproud had already spoken with Mr Joyce.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said any consequences in terms of his position on the Coalition frontbench was a matter for the Nationals, when asked on Sky News.
"From a personal point of view, I don't like to see anyone in that state," he said.
"I find it a little bit disturbing and so I'm not going to take shots at Barnaby about it.
"He needs to explain it and I'll focus on doing my job."
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor warned against people "jumping to conclusions" after seeing the footage.
"People love to jump to conclusions on these things and I'm certainly not doing that, and I don't think anyone should," he told ABC Insiders.
"I think the primary issue for us is Barnaby's welfare and we will remain focused on that."
The ABC has contacted Mr Joyce's office again, following the prime minister's comments.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDI0LTAyLTExL2Jhcm5hYnktam95Y2UtYXNrZWQtdG8tZXhwbGFpbi1jYW5iZXJyYS1mb290cGF0aC1mb290YWdlLzEwMzQ1MzQyMNIBAA?oc=5
2024-02-11 03:20:53Z
CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDI0LTAyLTExL2Jhcm5hYnktam95Y2UtYXNrZWQtdG8tZXhwbGFpbi1jYW5iZXJyYS1mb290cGF0aC1mb290YWdlLzEwMzQ1MzQyMNIBAA
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Barnaby Joyce must explain himself, after Nationals MP was filmed lying on Canberra footpath - ABC News"
Post a Comment