Kevin Rudd has been reported to have launched an expletive-full tirade directed at Labor’s factional bosses, including 3 female MPs.
The blow-up occurred two weeks ago and left hardened ALP power brokers shocked.
The factional leaders had met with the Prime Minister in his Parliament House office to argue government plans to cut MPs’ printing allowances from $100,000 to $75,000 per year, in response to a report into parliamentary perks by the Auditor-General.
Sources present at the the meeting said that Mr Rudd exclaimed: “I don’t care what you f—ers think!”
He then proceeded to single out Senator David Feeney, saying: “You can get f—ed”, prior to asking, “Don’t you f—ing understand?”
Rudd had been given a prior copy of the report into printing expenses and had already decided on the cut, but the ALP caucus had no say in the decision.
MPs Sharryn Jackson and Maria Vamvaknou and Senators Carol Brown, Michael Forshaw, Don Farrell and David Feeney were present at the meeting.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister has responded to the claims of the heated exchange saying that the Prime Minister stood by his decision to significantly reduce the printing entitlements of all senators and members.
Sources close to Senator Feeney argue that his case was reasonable, and that the problem with David was that he was the third or fourth person to ask a question. It seemed as if Rudd was fed up and Feeney copped it with both barrels.
David Feeney said that he will not comment on private meetings.
The incident is the second time in which the PM has allegedly lost his temper, including the verbal assault on an RAAF VIP air hostess over the standard of service.