Nationals deputy leader Perin Davey admits to drinking before rambling statement at Senate committee meeting in Canberra

National Party deputy leader Perin Davey has admitted drinking alcohol before making a lengthy statement at a late evening Senate committee meeting.

Images of Ms Davey at the meeting last Tuesday evening in Canberra have been widely shared on social media, showing her obfuscation as she spoke about arts funding at the Environment and Communications Estimates Committee meeting.

Ms Davey told Sky News on Saturday that she had had a few glasses of red wine before the meeting.

“I went to the Nationals staff drinks on Tuesday evening,” Mrs Davey confirmed.

“I don’t think I was drunk.”

When Daily Mail Australia contacted a spokesperson for Ms Davey this week, she claimed she had only demonstrated her passion for art.

Ms Davey struggled to express her concerns about the funding of the Major Performing Arts (MPAs) sector during the meeting.

“The MPAs are still getting their funding, which is good because they deserve it. Don’t let me take anything away. They, they are absolutely, you know, this is Australian culture,” Ms Davey said during her speech.

“When it comes to program funding, do we still have program funding, do we still see program funding outside the four-year model and outside the MPA model?

‘Or do we have, separate, the MPA, you have your funding, you go and practice art – we love you – and then small to medium and others, and accept that others have four years of funding and that helps with their core business model, but the rest of you are fighting each other, but they are no longer fighting the MPAs.”

A Labor insider asked what point Ms Davey was trying to make with her long-winded statement. “If I went to a meeting like that, I would be asked to go home and rest,” the source – who saw the situation unfold – told Daily Mail Australia.

Earlier, a Labor insider asked what point Ms Davey was trying to make with her long-winded statement.

“If I went to a meeting like that, I would be asked to go home and rest,” the source – who saw the situation unfold – told Daily Mail Australia.

In response, Ms Davey’s spokesperson had previously emphasized that the senator was coherent during the hearing and described the criticism as ‘pathetic’.

“Senator Davey is deeply passionate about arts funding in the regions and has pushed for a greater share of arts and culture budgets for regional Australia since she came to Parliament.

The senator’s questions and statements were highlighted earlier during the committee hearing and during a Sky News interview the same day.

Labor-focused advertising guru Dee Madigan also shared images of Ms. Davey with X with the caption, “Compare the pair. Three hours apart.”

In that TV interview, Ms Davey discussed the High Court decision that released 149 asylum seekers – some accused of serious crimes – into the community.

During the interview, the NSW senator effectively criticized the Albanian government’s handling of the crisis, arguing Labor was “forewarned” of the worst-case scenario and responded in an “arrogant” manner.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Senator Davey for comment.