‘Cut you up’: Senate hearing suspended after heated exchange between Labor and Nationals senators

A parliamentary committee was suspended after a tense exchange between Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie and Labor senator Glenn Sterle, during which he called her an “ignoramus”, a “fool”, and said he would “cut her up”.

McKenzie had questioned the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s actions regarding road tax, saying the trucking industry would be unhappy with the federal government’s approach to the fuel excise and taxes on small businesses.

Sterle, the chair of the committee focusing on rural and regional affairs and transport, said he would argue with McKenzie on taxes “anywhere in Australia” and threatened to “cut” her up.

“Metaphorically, yes … I will carve you up is what I should say,” he added.

The fiery exchange ended after someone suggested the hearing be briefly suspended, following which Sterle said he regretted using those “choice words”.

“As frustrations boil over, language is used that shouldn’t be used … “I will not use that language again, Senator McKenzie, but if you wish to debate me, the offer is still there”.

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