October 10th 2024.
The prime minister is facing pressure to reschedule Question Time on Melbourne Cup day, in order to allow members of parliament to partake in the beloved race that captures the nation's attention. The Coalition's frontbench has suggested that Anthony Albanese, leader of the opposition, change the timing of parliament on November 5 so that MPs can fly to Melbourne and witness the iconic event firsthand.
A senior Liberal MP expressed disappointment in the prime minister's decision to uphold the scheduled parliamentary session, calling it "un-Australian". He also pointed out that Albanese himself had previously altered the timing of Question Time in order to attend a conference in Laos. "It's absurd that the entire nation will come to a halt for the race, except for the 151 elected representatives who are expected to carry on with business as usual," the MP stated today.
Question Time on Melbourne Cup day typically begins at 2pm in the capital city of Canberra and can last for over an hour. Meanwhile, the horse race is famously held at 3pm. This timing conflict has sparked debate within parliament, with some arguing that the race should take precedence while others believe that parliamentary duties should not be disrupted for personal enjoyment.
Labor MP and assistant minister to the prime minister, Patrick Gorman, strongly condemned the Coalition's plea for Melbourne Cup to take priority over Question Time. "That's absurd," he stated during a media interview today. "The people of Australia did not elect us to attend lavish events and sip champagne. They elected us to fulfill our duties in the nation's capital."
Gorman challenged the Coalition to bring this issue to parliament and officially request a change in schedule. He emphasized that the Australian people have more pressing concerns than whether or not politicians get to attend the Melbourne Cup in person. "If they truly believe that the public would support the idea of changing the parliamentary schedule for the sake of a few privileged politicians in fancy suits, they are mistaken," Gorman added.
He also urged the public to follow the latest updates on news, celebrities, and sports through their WhatsApp channel. "No comments, no algorithms, and your personal information remains private," Gorman stated. "Stay informed without any hassle by joining our WhatsApp community."
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