We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
MPS IN VICTORIA will have to submit to random breath-testing during parliamentary sitting weeks under new laws to be implemented by the Australian Labour Party if it wins the state election this weekend.
Victorian shadow attorney general Martin Pakula said the move will improve the quality of parliament, which he claimed had become a “circus” where “ministers hid behind outdated rules to avoid scrutiny.”
Drinking
“I don’t want to overstate the size of the problem, but it has occurred,” he said. “This will send a very clear message to the Victorian community that Labour is serious about restoring respect and integrity to the Victorian parliament.”
In recent times interstate MPs have come under scrutiny for their alleged drinking habits.
Last year former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell stood down his finance minister Greg Pearce, who was accused of being drunk in a parliamentary session.
In 2012, shadow treasurer Michael Daley was accused of being drunk while delivering his speech against the WorkCover reforms at 2.30am and was ejected from the session.
Business Insider reached out the Victorian Parliament House who said they serve alcohol to the politicians from both restaurants in the building, where they dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A spokesperson also said they offer catering services to the MPs when they are in session, but they could, or would, not disclose whether that included alcohol.
Premier Denis Napthine said the move is simply a “political stunt” on the eve of the election.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Ireland is trying to stop politicians leaving work drunk!
Hogan knows best!
Comment of the week there Hulk!
Ah now do that breathalyser teat thing again will ya guard.Sure those things can be terribly inaccurate yokes.
The Dail was never so vocal when gerry suggested closing the bar. They’d rather be drunk and man handling women.
http://youtu.be/KHkCqdGZhZg
Irish TDs legally can drive home after a long day supping at the bar. It is disgraceful that this remains in place. PJ Sheehan a few years back – remember that. Abused a Garda for good measure and got to walk away from that.
How many Ministers of Justice have let this situation remain ?
The start of Shatter’s problems was the accusation he pulled a “do you know who I am” driving home one evening. Callinan then backed the minister over his own member. The date of the incident I would think was known from the Garda’s notes.
Drunk is trying to stop Ireland going to politicians work. Did somebody say kebab? *hicup
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common: they should both be changed regularly… and for the same reason.
Haha brilliant!
Random breath tests for our shower of wasters too.
How many were over the legal limit on the night of lapgate?
Parliamentary privilege wouldn’t allow it. Did we need breath testing for the story?
You’d be happy that the guards under the minister for justice could be absolutely reliably trusted to be impartial? I’d imagine given any government it would be useful on the eve of a important vote to suspend opposition TD’s as they are “drunk”.
Huey on lapgate night – sober or pissed; most didn’t understand what they were voting for. They just now what colour button to press. Even then they get it wrong the odd time.
Most are told what button to press . The whip does the deciding . These are just the puppets.
We need to do the same by closing the Dail bar.Especially after the fiasco yesterday
Seriously why do they even have a bar ? Anywhere I worked didn’t gave a bar for its employees. Even employees in hotels and bars nationwide are not allowed drink while they are at work. Most companies are hard pressed to provide canteen facilities for their employees and here we have this shower of wasters with their iwn bar? Why oh why do we put up with so much nonsense from our politicians and political systems in this country ?
I’d rather have drunk politicians over drunk,stupid, useless ones. .
Brilliant Tom…!
And id say there politians still do a better job than our lot
Very irish names or is it my imagination
listen to SF recently i think we should do the same
The practice of TDs being allowed to travel to and from the Dail without being stopped dates back to British rule when it was common practice for MPs to be waylaid to stop them attending a vote in Parliament.
I doubt it was intended to allow them to drive drunk though.
Remember Jim McDaid?
If they are going to doh at then they should. Also include the construction industry, which is controlled by their union masters.
Dey do do dat don’t dey doh?
Bust at the reply cant stop laughing. Fair play Séamus!!
Like most companies these days that have alcohol & drug testing,It should be introduced to Leinster house.
If people like myself are subject to these tests(Which I don’t mind) in my place of work why not the TD.
Actually I wonder what the new chair of the RSA has to say about her former colleagues drinking and driving, Plus under the H & S act 2005 it is ilegal to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol while at work.
Wow thats totally wrong.
Parliamentary privilege exists for a reason. People elected get certain additional rights. It’s why TD’s here can’t be stopping by the Gardai on the way to the Dail. I don’t believe the government control the Gardai to extent they would do it but they could order opposition TD’s arrested on the way to a crucial vote otherwise.
Breath tests at the behest of the government could be open to abuse in theory.
If parliamentarians are drunk accuse them in the chamber using parliamentary privilege and the press can report your remarks without facing libel. They don’t need the law.
That’s nonsense David. In the constitution every person is equal so where exactly did ” parlimentary priviledge ” come in. No person should be allowed to drink during their work especially when it involves making decisions that affect other people lives.
Absolute nonsense David. Parliamentary privilege and alcohol consumption are not related.
Breath tests at the gate of the Dail when driving out and removal of Jink’s Law.
A TD’s car hitting a person when over the limit has happened in recent times. In defence of the TD in question he didn’t pull the TD piece.
Thirsty work! Fosters probably!
have your say