Wild moment ABC’s Q+A goes off script as an audience member shouts foul-mouthed insult at minister
Lidia Thorpe was described as the ‘queen of irrelevance’ and Senator Murray Watt was called a ‘d**k’ on Monday’s Q+A programme.
ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas took the show to Brisbane this week ahead of the Queensland election on Saturday, with Labor expected to lose power after a decade in government.
The panel included Queensland senators including Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt, the Liberals’ Susan McDonald and the Greens’ Larissa Waters.
They were joined by political strategist Scott Emerson, who was a former LNP minister and is now co-director of bipartisan consultancy GXO Strategies.
A major talking point on the program was Senator Thorpe’s fiery outburst, which disrupted official proceedings during a reception with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Parliament House earlier on Monday, sparking global headlines.
Senator Watt said her actions were unfortunate, but it was something he saw every week in the Senate.
“She and Pauline Hanson, that one is from Queensland, and not a week goes by without them being at each other’s throats, disrupting the Senate’s attempt to get on the stand, and for what?” That’s what Senator Watt said.
‘I was in the room when it happened and was not aware until this moment that this is the issue she raised today.
“I don’t think the message got through to anyone in the room.”
He was interrupted, a man in the audience shouted, “We’re talking about this now, d**k!”
A Q+A audience member has left Labor senator Murray Watt (pictured) shocked after calling him a ‘d**k’ over comments against his colleague Lidia Thorpe
Senator Watt was shocked by the comment.
“Thank you for your feedback,” he replied as host Patricia Karvelas quickly changed the subject.
‘Okay, we’re not going to do that,’ she told the audience firmly.’
Mr. Emerson told the audience that Senator Thorpe was the “queen of irrelevance.”
“Every time she gets a message, it’s just because she’s yelling at someone,” he said.
“She should have done what Larissa Waters did. If she didn’t support the monarchy, didn’t want to be there, then don’t show up.
“Every time I see Lidia Thorpe, she’s yelling at someone.”
A Guren Gureng man Daniel from the Bundaberg region of Queensland raised Senator Thorpe’s protest and asked the panelists whether they supported the return of Aboriginal remains and artefacts held in Britain.
Mr Watt said Ms Thorpe’s (pictured) explosive row against King Charles on Monday ‘didn’t get through to anyone in the room’ before the audience member made the comment
Host Patricia Karvelas (left) said the comment would not be tolerated before the conversation continued
He said Senator Thorpe’s message was an important issue that continues to affect Indigenous Australians.
“We are talking about 200 years of pain that still remains unanswered and unresolved,” he said.
“The Monarchy, the United Kingdom and the Australian Government, we are all part of this Commonwealth and we are in a position to influence this change and bring about real reconciliation for Australians.”
Host Patricia Karvelas said the comment would not be tolerated.