Aaron
09-17-2008, 09:06 PM
It started as one MP's complaint about the portion sizes in the Parliament House cafeteria.
But the Stroganoff Affair has detonated a depth charge in both major parties and the operation of Parliament itself.
Yesterday, after NSW Labor MP John Murphy's whine about the stingy portions of stroganoff served up to his wife ignited derision and disbelief across Sydney, senior figures in both major parties met and agreed that Parliament should no longer be used as a forum for trivial complaint.
"Any reasonable member of Parliament would be embarrassed by it," manager of Opposition business Joe Hockey said last night, confirming that he had met both the Government leader of the House, Anthony Albanese, and the Speaker to discuss the incident.
"It's unacceptable in my view that members should be using the people's house for these purposes."
Last night Mr Murphy issued a statement of apology.
"With many families in my electorate facing cost of living pressures, I accept that the remarks were insensitive and unjustified," he said.
Plans are now under way for a formal resolution barring MPs from raising such trivial complaints.
On Tuesday afternoon, while Canberra's political establishment was debating the plight of pensioners and marvelling at the swift execution of former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson, Labor MP John Murphy rose in the chamber with a question for the Speaker.
He claimed his wife had been served an inferior helping of stroganoff, and had moreover been treated brusquely when she complained.
"Is this the attitude customers have to put up with from the new provider of the staff cafeteria?" he asked.
Immediately after Mr Murphy had spoken, the National Party MP for Riverina - Kay Hull - added her own complaint, describing the "quality, presentation and availability of food" as inadequate.
Mr Hockey approached Ms Hull in the chamber to reprimand her, but witnesses said Ms Hull told him to "f--- off".
Yesterday, Mr Murphy received a reprimand at the direction of Mr Albanese, while the new Parliament House caterers entered a series of meetings with the building's administration, and news of the incident drew widespread comment on Sydney radio talkback stations.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/annabel-crabb/stroganoff-affair-mp-says-sorry/2008/09/18/1221330977822.html
And you guys think you're elected representatives are bad?!
But the Stroganoff Affair has detonated a depth charge in both major parties and the operation of Parliament itself.
Yesterday, after NSW Labor MP John Murphy's whine about the stingy portions of stroganoff served up to his wife ignited derision and disbelief across Sydney, senior figures in both major parties met and agreed that Parliament should no longer be used as a forum for trivial complaint.
"Any reasonable member of Parliament would be embarrassed by it," manager of Opposition business Joe Hockey said last night, confirming that he had met both the Government leader of the House, Anthony Albanese, and the Speaker to discuss the incident.
"It's unacceptable in my view that members should be using the people's house for these purposes."
Last night Mr Murphy issued a statement of apology.
"With many families in my electorate facing cost of living pressures, I accept that the remarks were insensitive and unjustified," he said.
Plans are now under way for a formal resolution barring MPs from raising such trivial complaints.
On Tuesday afternoon, while Canberra's political establishment was debating the plight of pensioners and marvelling at the swift execution of former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson, Labor MP John Murphy rose in the chamber with a question for the Speaker.
He claimed his wife had been served an inferior helping of stroganoff, and had moreover been treated brusquely when she complained.
"Is this the attitude customers have to put up with from the new provider of the staff cafeteria?" he asked.
Immediately after Mr Murphy had spoken, the National Party MP for Riverina - Kay Hull - added her own complaint, describing the "quality, presentation and availability of food" as inadequate.
Mr Hockey approached Ms Hull in the chamber to reprimand her, but witnesses said Ms Hull told him to "f--- off".
Yesterday, Mr Murphy received a reprimand at the direction of Mr Albanese, while the new Parliament House caterers entered a series of meetings with the building's administration, and news of the incident drew widespread comment on Sydney radio talkback stations.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/annabel-crabb/stroganoff-affair-mp-says-sorry/2008/09/18/1221330977822.html
And you guys think you're elected representatives are bad?!