Two high-profile federal Labor MPs have skipped parliament to take part in the by-election campaign for the West Australian seat of Canning.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen and WA MP Alannah MacTiernan, a former state government minister, defended their absence when they were quizzed by reporters in Mandurah - 3700 kilometres away from where they should have been on Thursday.
"Today is the day that it suited the campaign and myself to come here today," Mr Bowen told reporters, arguing it was standard procedure for MPs to leave Canberra towards the end of a sitting week.
The Labor pair were not the only MPs to head west - Justice Minister Michael Keenan also jumped on a plane out of the national capital.
He will announce the results of a significant joint investigation between WA Police and the Australian Crime Commission that led to the seizure of more than 320kg of the drug ice.
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