Nationals senator Matt Canavan has shocked viewers of a morning TV show by turning up for a live interview with a bandage over his eye.
Today co-host Karl Stefanovic checked on the politician’s welfare as he appeared on his regular Wednesday morning breakfast show.
‘Mattie. First things first: are you okay?’ he asked.
The Queensland senator had bruising around his left eye and a thick white bandage covered his eyelid.
“Yeah, buddy. I am fine. I mean, it’s pretty hard to defend the coal industry here in the ACT,” Mr Canavan joked.
Liberal Senator Matt Canavan has shocked viewers of a morning TV show by turning up for a live interview with a bandage over his eye
“Who would have thought it was so unpopular.”
The panelists burst into laughter, with independent MP Monique Ryan shaking her head in apparent disapproval.
‘No, it’s not like that. No, the people here are nice,” Mr Canavan said.
He explained that the injury was sustained during a football match at Parliament House on Tuesday morning.
‘I had a minor head collision on the football pitch here at Parliament House yesterday morning.’
“It’s a bloodsport policy, so either way, I’ll be right.”
The senator was then asked for his views on Labor introducing new immigration legislation to make it easier to deport or detain non-citizens.
“We have always been willing to work with the government to secure our borders,” Canavan said.
“We’re a little unsure as to why this has been rushed in this way. I mean, these problems have been piling up for months now.”
He suggested the federal government had ‘hidden’ the legislation from the Australian people and was trying to ‘pass it through’ in one day of parliament.
“Look, I’m willing to support and consider these changes, but I just don’t think this is the right process,” Mr Canavan said.