Applause was probably not what former transport minister David Campbell expected when he returned to the NSW lower house.
Breaking parliamentary standing orders, the 30 Tarrawanna Public School students gave their local MP an ovation following a brief talk about his job as an MP.
"I wanted to come and say hello," he told his young audience, who were on a tour of the parliament on Tuesday.
"It's good to say hello, and I'll come and visit the school soon."
True to type, Mr Campbell's return to parliament as MP for Keira was understated, despite his spectacular fall from grace.
The 52-year-old slipped into Macquarie Street early in the morning to avoid the media pack - and apart from question time, and his brief chat to the Tarrawanna students, he managed to maintain a low profile throughout the day.
The former transport and roads minister quit his cabinet post two weeks ago after the Seven Network aired footage of him leaving a gay sex club in Sydney.
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally had granted him leave from parliament to deal with the fallout of the scandal, and its impact on his family.
But the ever-stoic MP fronted up to question time and took an unfamiliar place on the back bench, beside former leader Nathan Rees.
The married father of two adult sons gave little hint of the inner turmoil he must be feeling after his very public outing.
Dressed in dark suit and blue tie, the sombre-looking MP chatted regularly with Mr Rees throughout the proceedings and occasionally smiled when one of his Labor colleagues landed a punch on the opposition.
He watched intently when his replacement as roads minister, David Borger, took his first question, and when cabinet newcomer Frank Terenzini rose to his feet.
He even appeared amused by the usual shenanigans in the "bear pit".
The first question time since the Campbell scandal broke highlighted how unstable the government has become in recent years.
The latest reshuffle has seen four ministers given new portfolios, and the elevation of Mr Terenzini to the front bench.
Mr Campbell was seated near Mr Rees, disgraced MPs Matt Brown and Phil Koperberg, and dumped Ports Minister Joe Tripodi - a growing band of cabinet discards that must concern Ms Keneally.
No comments:
Post a Comment