Question time erupted into chaos on Wednesday, November 5, after Liberal MP Alex Hawke launched an extraordinary verbal attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling him “a hopeless liar” during heated exchanges over climate targets, interest rates, and Coalition tensions.
The confrontation followed comments by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who accused the Opposition of spreading “egregious lies” about government spending and interest rates.
Chalmers said Opposition Leader Sussan Ley had “completely untruthfully, dishonestly” claimed the Reserve Bank had criticised government spending, a remark that drew Hawke’s intervention under parliamentary rules prohibiting direct accusations of lying.
As Hawke rose to challenge the Treasurer’s remarks, Albanese reportedly called him “hopeless,” prompting Hawke’s outburst.
“No, you are hopeless and a liar. Lying to the Australian people,” Hawke shouted, pointing at the Prime Minister.
“If lying is in order… This is a liar. That is what we are debating here and I am happy to debate it.”
Speaker Milton Dick swiftly ordered both men to withdraw their remarks, ruling the accusations unparliamentary.
The clash came amid broader political turmoil, with Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen mocking the Opposition’s internal divisions, saying, “The party of Harold Holt is now the party of Andrew Bolt.”
Meanwhile, Nationals MP Michael McCormack urged colleagues to unite behind Sussan Ley, condemning anonymous Coalition members who had labelled Nationals MPs “terrorists” and “parasites.”
Despite the Speaker’s intervention, the fiery exchange between Hawke and Albanese underscored the mounting tension dominating Parliament this week.
Source: News.com.au.
