A Heated Exchange Leads to Removal from Hearing
A parliamentary hearing on Friday afternoon took an unexpected turn when NSW Nationals MP Wes Fang was removed for repeatedly interrupting and talking over Deputy Liberal Leader Natalie Ward.
The incident began with a disagreement over who would question Arts Minister John Graham at budget estimates. Ms. Ward and Mr. Fang, representing the Coalition, argued over the allocated time, with Mr. Fang claiming it had been negotiated by leadership. Ms. Ward refuted this claim, leading to chuckles from Labor's Cameron Murphy.
Despite the chair, Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, dismissing Mr. Fang's point of order, the bickering continued. Mr. Fang persisted in interrupting Mr. Graham and making sniping remarks about the Liberal Party's by-election struggles.
After repeated warnings, Ms. Faehrmann called for a private meeting, citing Mr. Fang's "untenable" behavior. Upon resumption, Mr. Fang's chair remained empty, with Ms. Faehrmann announcing his removal until 2pm.
This incident follows a history of tension between Mr. Fang and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman. In June, Mr. Fang publicly criticized Mr. Speakman on Facebook, leading to his demotion from the shadow ministry. The move sparked a leadership crisis within the Coalition, ultimately resolved with the Nationals agreeing to accept Mr. Speakman's decision.
Both the Liberal and Nationals parties have been contacted for comment.