Capt Claret
25th May 2004, 06:05
Another article from the esteemed :yuk: :yuk: NT News. Click here (http://ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,9657122%255E13569,00.html) for a link to the article in today's (25 May 04) edition.
MP accused of drunken flight
By LUKE McILVEEN
25may04
Territory Federal CLP MP Dave Tollner has been accused of getting drunk and slapping colleagues around the head while on a Qantas flight.
Parliamentary colleagues aboard QF708 said Mr Tollner refused to sit down on approach to Canberra and demanded more alcohol as the plane was about to land.
The incident happened on the flight from Adelaide to Canberra on Sunday night.
"I have thought about making a complaint but I gathered that Qantas would be making their own complaint," South Australian Labor MP Rod Sawford told the Northern Territory News yesterday.
"He was standing up when the seat belt sign was on coming into Canberra. I had the earphones on, trying to ignore him. I told him to sit down and that's when he has started ruffling my hair."
Another witness said Mr Sawford then turned around and told Mr Tollner he would "break his jaw" if he continued to annoy him.
The witness said Mr Tollner asked for more alcohol just before landing but was refused by cabin crew.
Mr Sawford said Mr Tollner also slapped his Liberal colleague Christopher Pyne across the back of the head several times. Mr Pyne declined to comment yesterday.
"I think his behaviour was objectionable. In fact, the steward said to me they didn't think he would be flying business class on Qantas any more," Mr Sawford said.
Also in the business class cabin with Mr Tollner was Labor Senator Nick Bolkus, Mr Sawford and Liberal MPs Chris Gallus, Patrick Secker and Mr Pyne.
Business class passengers receive an unlimited supply of alcohol during flights.
Labor MPs are considering making a formal complaint to the airline.
Mr Tollner last night denied he was drunk, saying that he had two beers in the Adelaide flight lounge and one glass of Bailey's liqueur on the flight to Canberra.
"I don't think I got out of my seat. I had been on a long flight from Darwin before boarding in Adelaide and I was quite fine," Mr Tollner said.
"I tapped Rod Sawford on the shoulder and he snarled at me so I desisted. I might have been a bit loud but that's about it."
The CLP Member for Solomon, Mr Tollner has never been far from controversy during his three years in Parliament.
Before his preselection in 2000, Mr Tollner confessed that he had been charged with possession of cannabis as a teenager and was facing a charge of drink driving.
This link (http://abc.net.au/sa/news/200405/s1115350.htm) is to the ABC's coverage.
MP accused of drunken flight
By LUKE McILVEEN
25may04
Territory Federal CLP MP Dave Tollner has been accused of getting drunk and slapping colleagues around the head while on a Qantas flight.
Parliamentary colleagues aboard QF708 said Mr Tollner refused to sit down on approach to Canberra and demanded more alcohol as the plane was about to land.
The incident happened on the flight from Adelaide to Canberra on Sunday night.
"I have thought about making a complaint but I gathered that Qantas would be making their own complaint," South Australian Labor MP Rod Sawford told the Northern Territory News yesterday.
"He was standing up when the seat belt sign was on coming into Canberra. I had the earphones on, trying to ignore him. I told him to sit down and that's when he has started ruffling my hair."
Another witness said Mr Sawford then turned around and told Mr Tollner he would "break his jaw" if he continued to annoy him.
The witness said Mr Tollner asked for more alcohol just before landing but was refused by cabin crew.
Mr Sawford said Mr Tollner also slapped his Liberal colleague Christopher Pyne across the back of the head several times. Mr Pyne declined to comment yesterday.
"I think his behaviour was objectionable. In fact, the steward said to me they didn't think he would be flying business class on Qantas any more," Mr Sawford said.
Also in the business class cabin with Mr Tollner was Labor Senator Nick Bolkus, Mr Sawford and Liberal MPs Chris Gallus, Patrick Secker and Mr Pyne.
Business class passengers receive an unlimited supply of alcohol during flights.
Labor MPs are considering making a formal complaint to the airline.
Mr Tollner last night denied he was drunk, saying that he had two beers in the Adelaide flight lounge and one glass of Bailey's liqueur on the flight to Canberra.
"I don't think I got out of my seat. I had been on a long flight from Darwin before boarding in Adelaide and I was quite fine," Mr Tollner said.
"I tapped Rod Sawford on the shoulder and he snarled at me so I desisted. I might have been a bit loud but that's about it."
The CLP Member for Solomon, Mr Tollner has never been far from controversy during his three years in Parliament.
Before his preselection in 2000, Mr Tollner confessed that he had been charged with possession of cannabis as a teenager and was facing a charge of drink driving.
This link (http://abc.net.au/sa/news/200405/s1115350.htm) is to the ABC's coverage.