NSW Labor MP Anna Watson denies allegations of drink driving
A New South Wales MP has denied suggestions she tried to drive home drunk from parliament after accusations were levelled against her during Senate estimates.
Labor MP Anna Watson has opened up about drinking too heavily to “deal with stress” while navigating a “personal crisis” on the night of August 27, 2020.
She had been with One Nation MP Mark Latham who under parliamentary privilege today claimed the Member for Shellharbour was “paralytically drunk” and tried to drive home.
“As drunk as anyone I’ve ever seen in my long time working in a parliament house,” Latham said.
He asked during the estimates hearing whether there was a security report made about parliamentary staff having to “stand in front of her car to stop her from driving home in that paralytic state”.
In response to the allegations, Watson admitted she “had had too much to drink that evening”.
“I was having a drink with Mr Latham in the Parliament House bar. I thought I had his ear and shoulder to cry on that evening,” she said.
“I did drink too much alcohol during that extremely stressful and traumatic period, I recognise this.”
Watson said she knew she had too much to drink that night and called her husband to pick her up.
“I want to be clear – I did not attempt to drive or drive the car,” Watson said.
Chief executive of the NSW Department of Parliamentary Services Mark Webb said he was not aware of any security reports.
Watson said she has been abstaining from alcohol.
Recently, Watson helped Latham oversee a review that exposed a toxic culture inside the NSW parliament.
