PM rejects random pollie alcohol and drug testing

Australian Community Media

Anthony Albanese has rejected a suggestion, made in light of Barnaby Joyce's alcohol-affected late-night mishap in Canberra, to introduce random alcohol and drug testing of MPs, senators and staff in the Federal Parliament.

Transcript

00:00 And now I give the call to the Member for Warringah.

00:02 Thank you Mr Speaker. My question is to the Prime Minister.

00:05 Numerous workplaces in Australia have random alcohol and drug testing to help ensure a safe and respectful working environment.

00:14 Will you commit to legislating for random alcohol and drug testing of MPs, Senators and staff in the Federal Parliament

00:21 due to the apparent ongoing issues with too much alcohol consumption?

00:26 I give the call to the Prime Minister.

00:36 I thank the Member for Warringah for her question.

00:39 I recognise that it comes from a place of genuine concern.

00:45 There have been issues from time to time in the Parliament.

00:52 But one of the things about our jobs is we're accountable.

00:56 Every three years at least we go to the Australian people and we're accountable for what we say and what we do and how we act.

01:05 And that is a democratic process that is appropriate.

01:09 I would have thought that we are all responsible adults and we should act appropriately

01:17 out of respect for the people who vote to put us here.

01:21 It is a great privilege to be a Member of Parliament and many people try, not as many succeed.

01:29 I've had the privilege of being elected to this Parliament 10 times and every day, every day, I feel grateful and humbled

01:39 by representing the community where I've lived my whole life in the inner west of Sydney

01:46 and being able to occupy the extraordinary position of being Australia's 31st Prime Minister.

01:53 I don't want to see us be in a position where we say that we are unable to act like adults

02:03 and to have the suggestion which is made.

02:06 So I understand why she makes it, the Member for Warringah, but it is not something that I have supported.

02:13 I think that people need to act responsibly at all times.

02:19 To bear in mind the great privilege and honour that we have of being in this Chamber in the various positions that occur,

02:27 whether they be on the front bench of either side, whether they be backbench members or whether they be crossbench members as well.

02:34 So I thank the Member for Warringah for her question.

02:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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