Posted on 08/28/2005 8:48:59 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SYDNEY (AFP) - A leading Australian politician has resigned after it was revealed that he called an opponent's Malaysian wife a "mail order bride", pinched the bottom of one female journalist and propositioned another at an alcohol-fuelled party.
New South Wales opposition Liberal Party leader John Brogden told a hastily-called news conference that he regretted his "inappropriate" behaviour and would quit the post that could have seen him become state premier.
He denied being drunk at the party thrown for the media by the Australian Hotels Association three weeks ago but admitted drinking six beers to celebrate the recent resignation of the long-standing premier, Bob Carr.
With Carr out of the way, Brogden, 37, was tipped to have a strong chance of taking the premiership at the next state elections in 2007.
But his career was in ruins Monday after reports of his behaviour at the party surfaced in local newspapers, and he told the news conference: "I acted dishonourably and now is the time to act honourably."
Prime Minister John Howard, leader of Brogden's Liberal Party, earlier condemned the remarks about Carr's Malaysian-born wife Helena as "just quite wrong".
"I know Helena Carr and she's a very gracious person. That sort of comment should never have been made."
Carr, who resigned in July after leading Australia's most populous state for 10 years, rejected Brogden's apology.
"I think that his apology is entirely unacceptable to Helena and that is the greatest insult not only to her but of every woman of Asian background," Carr said.
His wife Helena said the remark was "hurtful".
The Daily Telegraph said the backdrop to Brogden's "night of madness" was one of the most eagerly awaited events on the Sydney social calendar -- the Australian Hotels Association annual media drinks party.
"Top notch champagne and boutique beers flowed freely" at the Hilton hotel and "as the night wore on, journalists began getting the word that Mr Brogden was out for a big night and wanted them to join him in the bar".
There, they were surprised to see Brogden looking "very cosy" with several blonde women, the report said.
It was not immediately clear why it had taken so long for the story to surface, given that Brogden's behaviour was witnessed by a number of journalists.
I can't believe that alcohol was involved....
New South Wales (NSW) opposition leader John Brogden has resigned after it was revealed that he called an opponent's Malaysian wife a 'mail order bride', pinched the bottom of one female journalist and propositioned another at an alcohol-fuelled party(AFP/Greg Wood)
I can't believe he denied being drunk after that...
What size beers were they? There are 5L beer cans, but I doubt he'd be able to consume more than two of those at a time, let alone six. And if he couldn't hold six regular beers, then the wuss had no business drinking them.
Liberal Party leader, LOL
Hope that he didn't spend too much.
I hate to say it, but everytime I see a middle-aged white guy with a (usually younger) Filipina, Malaysian, or Russian wife, I automatically think "mail order bride" although I never say it out loud.
He saved on postage.
What if she WAS a mail order bride? Will they apologize to him?
Mark
Sounds like a graduate of the Bill Clinton school of charm......
That's an awesome question. He totally should have asked that to the people who got on his case...
He should come to the U.S. We had a President for 8 years who could show him the ropes.
For (bleep's) sake, this is Australia.
Is he disgraced for falling short of his quota?
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