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‘I behaved like an idiot’: Minister admits to inappropriate behaviour

Scott Buchholz apologised for inappropriate behaviour towards a Defence officer. Photo: Department of Defence

Scott Buchholz apologised for inappropriate behaviour towards a Defence officer. Photo: Department of Defence

The federal Assistant Roads Minister, Scott Buchholz, has declared himself an “idiot” after a female Defence officer lodged an official complaint about his behaviour on a military exchange.

The incident occurred during Operation Pitch Black in Darwin in August, during an exchange attended by several other Coalition and Labor MPs.

“I behaved like an idiot on a parliamentary exchange last year and I recognise how inappropriate my actions were,” Mr Buchholz said on Thursday.

“I apologised for my conduct and the offence I caused, and I reiterate my deep respect for the ADF and its members.”

The Defence Department declined to outline exactly what behaviour triggered the complaint.

However, The New Daily has been told it is believed to have involved “hugging”.

“Scotty is a big hugger,” a colleague said.

Mr Buchholz is a close confidant to former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.

The Defence Department has confirmed the issue was referred to the office of Defence Personnel Minister Darren Chester, who is opposed to Mr Joyce’s return to the leadership.

buchholz inappropriate defence

Scott Buchholz, centre, with Liberal Ian Goodenough, left, and Labor’s Luke Gosling on a parliamentary Defence trip. Photo: Department of Defence 

The conduct of MPs on Operation Pitch Black has previously attracted criticism amid claims they skipped some scheduled events to attend the Darwin races at Fanny Bay.

Labor’s Luke Gosling – whose electorate covers Fanny Bay – has previously defended this decision, arguing it was cleared with the ADF long before and not attending the premier sporting event would be inappropriate as the local member.

The New Daily has contacted Mr Buchholz’s office for comment.

But the Defence Department said it considered the matter resolved.

“Defence subsequently received an apology from the parliamentarian and is satisfied with the response,” a spokesman said.

It’s not the first time that Mr Buchholz has run into trouble with female colleagues.

As chief government whip, he famously urged Liberal frontbencher Kelly O’Dwyer to pump more breast milk to ensure she did not miss crucial votes because she was breastfeeding her daughter, Olivia.

Ms O’Dwyer is understood to have taken a dim view of Mr Buchholz’s advice, outlining her view to him forcefully on the floor of Parliament.

She later confirmed the incident had occurred but said the matter was resolved.

Mr Buchholz’s request to Ms O’Dwyer is believed to have followed two incidents in which she missed a division and a speaking engagement in Parliament because she was breastfeeding.

The chief whip was apparently unaware that, under standing orders, breastfeeding new mothers are given a proxy vote in Parliament.

Instead, his office had to have the standing orders explained after it consulted Mr Buchholz’s Labor counterpart, Chris Hayes.

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