Liberal Faces Axe after Big Night Out

From The Age:

Liberal faces axe after big night outBy Jonathon Pearlman
August 29, 2005

THE future of NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden is under a cloud after he was forced to apologise for an alcohol-fuelled night during which he pinched a journalist's bottom, propositioned another and referred to Bob Carr's wife as a "mail-order bride".

Mr Brogden last night said his behaviour had been "unacceptable" and he would call the journalists and Helena Carr to apologise.

"It was the week Bob Carr resigned. I had a few drinks and let off some steam and, in doing so, acted foolishly," he said.

Asked about his reference to Mr Carr's Malaysian-born wife, Mr Brogden said: "I did tell a joke along those lines. It was completely inappropriate."

A senior Liberal MP last night said Mr Brogden should resign. "It is a full-blown crisis. I think it is terrible. I think it is that serious and he knows it."

Mr Carr said Mr Brogden's comments were a "cruel insult against all Asian women" and that he should resign this week.

"Mr Brogden is totally unfit to lead any political party," he said.

"Helena did something Mr Brogden has never done. She made a serious career in business where she was appointed to the board of Leigh Mardon, a public company. My wife Helena has higher qualifications and a more substantial career than this featherweight of mediocrity will ever have."

Mr Carr said he and Helena did not plan to accept Mr Brogden's apology.
"This is an attack on my wife. Helena is furious - and with justification." Labor's NSW general secretary Mark Arbib said the comments about the former premier's wife were "racist and disgusting".

Mr Brogden's indiscretions occurred on July 29 at the Sydney Hilton's Marble Bar. He and two male staff members had attended the Australian Hotels Association's winter drinks.

Mr Brogden admitted he had pinched the bottom of a newspaper journalist. However, he said he and the journalist were old friends.

A second journalist said yesterday that Mr Brogden had put his arm around her and propositioned her.

Mr Brogden also apologised to the party: "They have put their faith in me as leader and I have let them down," he said.

The Hotels Association's acting chief executive, David Elliott, yesterday said Mr Brogden had smoked three cigars while in the Marble Bar and had about three beers in two hours.

NSW Liberal MPs last night weighed the impact of the scandal, with talks on Mr Brogden's future as leader expected to begin in earnest today.

Update (31/8/05): John Brogden resigned his post on Monday, and was taken to the hospital Tuesday night after an apparent suicide attempt.