Labor MP Glenn Sterle and Nationals counterpart Bridget McKenzie have been caught in a heated moment of name-calling that briefly derailed a Senate committee.
The pair were debating the federal government's actions on the trucking industry and tax during a hearing on rural and regional affairs and transport today.
Sterle, the chair of the hearing, said he would argue with McKenzie on taxes anywhere and threatened to metaphorically "cut" her up.
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"Happy to have that debate with you on any forum… anywhere in Australia because I'll cut you up," Sterle said.
"You'll cut me up?" McKenzie replied.
"Metaphorically, yes, I'll carve you up is what I should say," Sterle clarified after a silent moment.
"Cheers. I'll be writing to (Finance Minister Katy Gallagher) and (Foreign Minister Penny Wong) on that one," McKenzie replied.
The pair continued arguing and Sterle became visibly agitated, asking the minister being questioned to swap seats so he could "educate the ignoramus from the other side".
"Ignoramus, going to carve me up, going to cut me up, anything else?" McKenzie said.
"What a charmer. Ladies, I hope you're listening."
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Sterle continued to hit out at McKenzie, including over a report about the National senator's use of taxpayer-funded travel expenses.
According to The Age, McKenzie billed taxpayers $853.52 for a four-day trip to Tasmania in February 2023, where she also attended her son's wedding.
The room was quiet as Sterle and McKenzie continued to go back and forth for over two minutes until someone suggested the hearing be briefly suspended.
Returning to the hearing, Sterle said he regretted using those "choice words".
"As you can see, that was the worst of the worst being on display here," he said.
"As frustrations boil over, language is used that shouldn't be used. I regret using some of my choice words, I take that back but I'm very happy to defend what this government has done with sham contracting with the transport industry.
"I will not use that language again, Senator McKenzie, but if you wish to debate me, the offer is still there."
"Respectfully, I will take that up," McKenzie replied.