'Boozy politicians' drown out sober debate

Politicians in Australia’s oldest legislature have been accused of drinking too much and drafting laws with slurred speech and red noses.

Lee Rhiannon, of the minority Greens Party, said some members of the New South Wales state parliament are obviously under the influence of alcohol when they return to its debating chamber after taking breaks.

“After dinner … things get a bit raucous,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Rhiannon today.

The august institution, set up in Sydney in 1822, has two restaurants and a bar as well as its own off-licence.

“People have very poor views of politicians,” said Rhiannon who wants authorities given the power to expel drunken politicians from the state parliament until they sober up.

“Parliamentary debates require attention to detail and clarity of thought,” she said. “The use of alcohol and drugs can impair their ability to consider legislation.”

Some politicians have admitted they had drinking problems.

In the national parliament in the capital Canberra, Andrew Bartlett – who heads the minority Australian Democrats Party – pledged never to touch alcohol again after he was accused of manhandling a woman MP at a Christmas party last year.