- Prime minister under pressure over race that stops a nation
- Liberal MP says the move is out of touch and un-Australian
Anthony Albanese is facing pressure to reschedule Question Time in parliament on the first Tuesday in November because it clashes with the Melbourne Cup.
The government’s decision to have parliament sit during the race that stops a nation has annoyed MPs from both sides of the aisle as they were hoping to attend the event.
Question Time starts at 2pm and usually lasts longer than an hour, meaning those who attend would miss the big race at 3pm on November 5.
Liberal MP Dan Tehan called the move ‘un-Australian’ and questioned whether the PM understood what the race meant to Aussies.
‘If it’s good enough for him to move Question Time so that he can fly overseas, surely, it’s good enough for him to be able to move question time so that we can watch the Melbourne Cup,’ said Mr Tehan.
‘It is the race that stops the nation, and the fact that it will stop the nation everywhere, apart from the 151 elected representatives of the nation, is beyond a joke.
‘If he doesn’t do it, sadly, it will show how out of touch this Prime Minister is becoming.’
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller has also backed the move to reschedule Question Time so politicians can attend the event.
Anthony Albanese is facing pressure to reschedule Question Time on Melbourne Cup Day
Question Time starts at 2pm and usually lasts longer than an hour, meaning politicians are odds-on to miss the big race at 3pm
The action off the track at the Cup is an even bigger drawcard for some than the running of the event itself (pictured, racegoers at Flemington in 2023)
‘It’s one of those very special moments in Australia,’ Mr Waller said.
‘There’s over 350 race clubs, a lot of it’s voluntary, a lot of it’s people that put their pride and passion into racing.
‘Each one of those politicians are from an area which has a racetrack and employs people, and a lot of that employment in those rural and country areas isn’t plentiful, so it’s an important part of employing over 250,00 people in Australia.
‘Racing is part of Australia’s heart, and it brings people together. It’s done it through the Depression. It’s done it through some really tough times. It’s done it through wars. When wars are over, it brings all genders together.’
Liberal MP Dan Tehan said the decision to have parliament to sit during the race is un-Australian (trainer Sam Freedman is pictured with 2023 winner Without A Fight)
However, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi believes MPs should work through the event, insisting that the arrogance of the Coalition knows no bounds.
‘Not only do they support gambling-fuelled animal cruelty, now they want to take time out when they’re meant to be at work to watch this anachronistic sport that fewer and fewer people follow,’ Senator Faruqi said.
‘The Melbourne Cup doesn’t stop the nation anymore, and it certainly shouldn’t stop parliament.’