- Prime minister under pressure over race that holds a nation back
- Liberal MP says measure is out of place and not Australian
Anthony Albanese is facing pressure to reschedule Question Time in parliament on the first Tuesday in November because it coincides with the Melbourne Cup.
The government’s decision for parliament to meet during the race that stops a nation has upset MPs on both sides of the aisle who were hoping to attend the event.
Question time starts at 2pm and usually lasts over an hour, meaning those who attend will miss the big race at 3pm on November 5.
Liberal MP Dan Tehan called the move “un-Australian” and questioned whether the prime minister understood what the race meant for Australians.
“If it’s good enough for him to move Question Time so he can fly overseas, surely it’s good enough for him to be able to move Question Time so we can watch the Melbourne Cup,” Mr Tehan said.
‘It’s the race that stops the nation, and the fact that it will stop the nation everywhere other than the nation’s 151 elected representatives is beyond a joke.
“Failing to do so will sadly demonstrate how out of touch this Prime Minister is becoming.”
Hall of Fame coach Chris Waller also backed the move to reschedule question time so politicians can attend the event.
Anthony Albanese faces pressure to reschedule Question Time on Melbourne Cup day
Question time starts at 2pm and usually lasts over an hour, meaning politicians are likely to miss the big race at 3pm.
The off-track action at the Cup is an even bigger draw 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 are over 350 racing clubs, many of them voluntary, many people who put their pride and passion into racing.
‘Every one of those politicians comes from an area that has a racecourse and employs people, and a lot of that employment in those rural, rural areas is not plentiful, so it’s a significant part of the employment of over 250,000 people in Australia .
‘Racing is part of the heart of Australia and brings people together. He did it during the Depression. He has done it in really difficult times. He has done it through wars. When wars end, all genders come together.”
Liberal MP Dan Tehan said the decision for parliament to meet during the race is not Australian (trainer Sam Freedman pictured with 2023 winner Sin Lucha)
However, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi believes MPs should work through the event, insisting the Coalition’s arrogance knows no bounds.
“Not only do they support gambling-driven animal cruelty, but now they want to take time out from work to watch this anachronistic sport that fewer and fewer people follow,” Senator Faruqi said.
“The Melbourne Cup no longer stops the nation, and it certainly shouldn’t stop parliament.”