A federal assistant minister and two Tasmanian state Labor MPs apologise after a complaint was made about their behaviour at the Taste of Summer festival in Hobart.
A complaint was made about Tasmanian Labor MPs' behaviour at the Taste of Summer festival.A federal assistant minister and two Tasmanian Labor MPs were overheard having a game of "shoot, shag or marry" about male Liberal MPs at a public festival in Hobart.
The three have provided personal apologies to the complainant — themselves a Liberal member — who described the language used at the time as "truly disgusting".Labor leader Josh Willie said the MPs had reflected on the matter, and he would not be providing further comment.Share article A federal assistant minister and two Tasmanian state Labor MPs have apologised after a complaint was made about their behaviour at the Taste of Summer festival in Hobart. The complaint — seen by the ABC — stated that Assistant Minister for Women, Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White, and state MPs Ella Haddad and Sarah Lovell engaged in a game described as "shoot, shag or marry" about male Liberal MPs."I and others sitting next to me and next to you were absolutely shocked at the language and dialogue of what was being discussed very loudly so everyone in the vicinity could hear,"The discussion occurred on December 30 at the Taste of Summer, a paid event open to the public. The complaint was made on January 5, and Ms White, Ms Haddad and Ms Lovell each provided personal apologies, seen by the ABC, to the complainant on the same day."I unreservedly apologise for offending you and appreciate you making direct contact to share your feedback," Ms White wrote.Ella Haddad is the shadow attorney-general who initially put her hand up for the last state Labor leadership."I take your comments on board and apologise for offending you and your friends," Ms Lovell wrote.Sarah Lovell is the party's spokesperson for health and women.Ms White is a former state Labor leader who won the federal seat of Lyons at last year's federal election, and was immediately elevated to the assistant ministry. Ms Haddad is the shadow attorney-general who initially put her hand up for the last state Labor leadership, and Ms Lovell is the party's spokesperson for health and women.Josh Willie was also at the event, and was photographed having a beer with Jeremy Rockliff.The matter was made public in The Mercury newspaper six days after the apologies were made. A Labor party spokesperson said they "do not accept the premise of the accusations" and reject the specific language used. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Willie said they did not "necessarily" agree with the characterisation of what occurred, but would not elaborate on which claims were in dispute."It was an overheard private conversation and apologies have been made and they have been accepted," he said.Mr Willie was also at the event on the day in question, and was photographed having a beer with Premier Jeremy Rockliff in the evening. He would not say if he was at the table when the discussion occurred, would not verify the exact nature of the discussion, or its relation to alcohol use.The Taste of Summer is a paid event open to the public.
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