Deputy Labor leader Janie Finlay has withdrawn a comment deemed “unparliamentary” after calling Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s remarks “bulls–t” during question time in parliament.
The Bass MP made the outburst on Wednesday as the premier spoke about jobs at Bell Bay Aluminium and bailing out TT-Line.
“That’s bulls–t and you know it. Sit down. A joke,” she told the premier.
Speaker Jacquie Petrusma issued an immediate first warning but on Thursday confirmed she had not heard the full remark at the time.
Petrusma this morning told parliament she had reviewed the official Hansard record and raised the matter with Finlay.
“I did not hear this at the time so I was not able to ask that it be withdrawn but it has subsequently been raised with me as it does appear on the Hansard record,” she said.
Petrusma said Finlay had “very kindly offered to withdraw the comments”, which she then did formally in the chamber.
Petrusma said it was important the chamber remained “a safe place for all members”.
The exchange came amid heated debate over the government’s $75 million TT-Line bailout, which is expected to feature in today’s interim state budget.
Labor MP Brian Mitchell was also suspended from the chamber on Wednesday after receiving multiple warnings for persistent interjections.
