Sophie Mirabella confronts Anthony Albanese
Nick Efstathiadis

 

  • Sophie Mirabella confronts Anthony Albanese QT showdown
  • MPs embroiled in heated exchange on Parliament floor
  • Liberal frontbencher said: "This is getting personal"

Albanese

Liberal Frontbencher Sophie Mirabella points and argues with Leader of the House Anthony Albanese after Question Time. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

Albanese

Ms Mirabella has words with Mr Albanese after Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber. Picture: Kim Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

Albanese

Mrs Mirabella cornered Mr Albanese and angrily jabbed her finger at him. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

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THE political battle over personal integrity exploded in Parliament yesterday afternoon after Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella confronted Labor's Anthony's Albanese in a dramatic showdown.

Mr Albanese, the Government's chief tactician in the House of Representatives, had referred to court action estate of the family of Mrs Mirabella's late former lover, Melbourne QC Colin Howard.
At the back of the Chamber Mrs Mirabella cornered Mr Albanese and angrily jabbed her finger at him as she accused him of quoting from illegally obtained court documents.
Mr Albanese replied that his only sources were newspaper accounts of the case.
“This is getting personal," news.com.au was told Mrs Mirabella said.
“No kidding," replied Mr Albanese, who had just spent about half an hour listening to and fending off Opposition allegations related to Craig Thomson.

The encounter ended with them exchanging more finger jabs when Mr Albanese left the Chamber and Mrs Mirabella went back to her colleagues to tell her what had happened.
During Question Time the Opposition accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of being part of “a protection racket'' looking after former Labor MP, now independent, Craig Thomson.
This followed revelations Mr Thomson had not formerly declared, as required by parliamentary rules, that the NSW Labor Party was paying his legal costs.
Mr Thomson has been accused of rorting around $500,000 in Health Services Union money on prostitutes and lavish entertainment when he was national secretary.
He has denied the claims and they have not been tested in court.
In answer to an Opposition question, the Prime Minister said she had not discussed the assistance with legal costs with Mr Thomson.
And he confirmed it on Twitter seconds later, saying: “Confirming the PM answer is 100 percent accurate.''
In reply, Mr Albanese revived 1978 newspaper reports that Tony Abbott, now Opposition Leader, had been accused of inappropriately touching a female university student. The court action was not successful.
Mr Albanese's point was that people should be given the presumption of innocence and raised Mrs Mirabella's case to make the same point.
He also revived the fact that Mr Abbott in 2010 had failed to declare a $710,000 loan for two years, breaching the same rules as Mr Thomson.
“He has the hypocrisy to come in here and authorise these attacks,'' said Mr Albanese, indicating Mr Abbott.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Anna Burke, sitting in for Speaker Peter Slipper who is standing aside until allegations against him are dealt with, had troubled reining the bad tempered Question Time.
At one point she rose to her feet and glared at the MPs before saying: “The death stare will apply.''
Mr Albanese continued his battle with Opposition MPs at one stage yelling at Deputy Liberal Leader Julie Bishop: “That's the point you fool.'' He was ordered to withdraw the remark.
Ms Bishop had just told the House that allegations against Mr Thomson “will go before a court.'' 

Sophie Mirabella confronts Anthony Albanese as Question Time gets personal | News.com.au

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