Three female Labor MPs were overhead discussing which male Liberal MPs they would “shoot, shag or marry” last month, according to the Hobart Mercury.
The comments were allegedly made by federal MP Rebecca White, and state members Ella Haddad and Sarah Lovell, at a food festival in Hobart.
A festival-goer made a written complaint, labelling the comments “disgusting”.
All three women and the Tasmanian Labor leader have since apologised to the complainant.
Comments
Over the weekend, The Mercury – News Corp’s Hobart paper – reported a complaint about White, Haddad and Lovell allegedly playing “shoot, shag or marry” about Liberal MPs on 30 December at the Taste of Summer Festival.
The complaint was made on 5 January by a festival attendee, who is also a member of the Liberal party.
The ABC reported that the complainant was “absolutely shocked at the language and dialogue... being discussed very loudly”.
Response
The three women named in the complaint issued apologies, published by the Mercury.
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“I unreservedly apologise for offending you and appreciate you making direct contact to share your feedback,” White said.
Haddad said: “I absolutely apologise for the offence I have caused you.”
“I take your comments on board and apologise for offending you and your friends,” Lovell said.
At a media conference yesterday, Tasmanian Labor Leader Josh Willie responded to the claims, the Mercury reported.
He said: “It was a private conversation that was overheard. I’m not going to be providing running commentary.”
“Apologies have been made and they were accepted,” Willie added.
2009 incident
In 2009, two Tasmanian Liberal Party members were reportedly involved in an altercation at the same festival, then known as “Taste of Tasmania”.
The ABC reported at the time that Sue Hickey filed a police complaint about Elise Archer for allegedly “grab[bing] her elbow”.
In 2018, both women were successful at the Tasmanian election, representing two of five positions in their electorate.
