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Liberal leader Peter Dutton pokes fun at new Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather after criticism for not wearing a tie in Parliament

Peter Dutton has mocked new Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather after he was criticized over not wearing a tie in Parliament with the Liberal leader declaring: “I’m just happy that the Greens were wearing shoes”.

Mr Chandler-Mather, 30, was preparing to ask a question about public housing on Wednesday when he was cut off by furious Nationals MP Pat Conaghan who called for a point of order saying: “I draw your attention to the state of undress of the member”.

Mr Conaghan later mocked the new MP further in a statement and said: “This is not a barbecue”.

“This is Question Time in the Australian Parliament. What next, board shorts and thongs? Maybe a onesie in winter,” he said.

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The Opposition Leader also weighed in on the tit-for-tat and poked fun at the Greens over the fashion choice.

“Well, I’m just happy that the Greens were wearing shoes,” Mr Dutton told Nine’s Today Show on Friday.

“I think that is a really very significant step forward. So, that was great.

“Sometimes we get away with shorts if we are on set, but, I mean, you guys are always well-dressed and you set the standard.

“We just want to follow the media celebrities. We are, as you know, we are in the ugly people’s show business, so, what can we do?”

But both Mr Chandler-Mather and Greens leader Adam Bandt failed to find the humor in the debate given the MP was asking the Prime Minister a question on public housing at the time.

Mr Chandler-Mather took to social media to express his concern that the “Coalition care more about ties” than vulnerable Australians waiting for social housing.

He was promptly supported by the party leader who mocked the Opposition for taking issue over a tie.

“A Nationals MP who hasn’t been wearing a mask all week just got angry that Max Chandler-Mather wasn’t wearing a tie,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Yes. That’s what the Coalition is angry about.

“The political establishment are completely out of touch with the struggles of working communities.”

Speaker Milton Dick promptly dismissed Mr Conaghan’s ire over the young MPs parliamentary attire at the time and permitted the member for Griffith to continue his question.

There is no official dress code in the House of Representatives with the rule book outlining “the ultimate discretion rests with the Speaker”.

Greens leader Adam Bandt to call on government to make childcare and dental free in National Press Club address

As the cost of living continues to bite, the Greens Party is increasing pressure on the government to introduce new measures to further help households.

In an address to the National Press Club today, Greens Leader Adam Bandt will call on the government to make childcare and dental healthcare free, arguing it would provide thousands of dollars in long-term support for families who are struggling to pay bills.

“These would be long-lasting changes that would deliver real relief to everyday people battling with high inflation and low wages and incomes,” he is expected to say.

“Better than a short-lived cut to fuel excise that can be wiped out by a profiteering petroleum corporation, these measures would mean people were better off not just right now, but next month and next year, year after year.”

The federal government has promised to reduce childcare costs from July next year, estimating 96 per cent of families will be better off.

Under the proposal, the childcare subsidy rate will be lifted to 90 per cent for the first child and the means taper will be less steep than the current system.

For example, a family earning $75,000 will be eligible for a 90 per cent subsidy, while a family earning $120,000 will receive an 82 per cent subsidy.

Families with a combined income of up to $530,000 will receive some level of support.

Mr Bandt will today declare the July start date is too far away and instead call on the government to go one step further and make child care free for all in the October budget.

The government also plans to ask the Productivity Commission to review the child care sector, with the aim to provide 90 per cent subsidies for all families in the future.

Mr Bandt will argue there is no need for a review and the government should move quickly towards free child care for all and not a heavily subsidized program.

“Make child care free and support the workforce,” he is expected to say.

“We don’t need to wait for another review to tell us that child care is in crisis.”

Dental support would save hundreds

The Greens have long called for universal access to free dental care and Mr Bandt will again ramp up the party’s calls for the government to consider the measure.

Medicare does not subsidize dental check-ups for all Australians. About $9.5 billion was spent on dental services in 2019-20, with the majority paid in out-of-pocket costs.

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