When question time in federal parliament descends into a slanging match, the public can often be forgiven for failing to follow what's going on.
But there was a moment of confusion on Monday that led many MPs themselves to scratch their heads.
Cabinet minister Peter Dutton wanted to make a point about Labor's apparent ties to dodgy union bosses.
Everyone had a story of a union thug, the immigration minister started, singling out the construction union for scrutiny.
"But I heard an amazing story the other day," he continued.
What came after from the minister was a peculiar and eccentric tale about a laid-off part-pensioner named "Julia" who forgot her contact lenses that morning.
She greets someone named "Bill the bikie" who had her back because she lost her job unexpectedly recently.
They meet a foreman, "Kevin the carpenter" who apparently talks "Chinese" to workers who aren't Chinese and is focused on world domination.
The point? Well, besides the not-so-subtle references to Labor leaders past and present, not many were sure.
It took Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese to say what most were thinking.
"Point of order?" Speaker Tony Smith asked when he stood up.
"Yes Mr Speaker, on weirdness."
In a contest usually about which political side gets the last word, it was obvious who got the last laugh.
Share
