Australian politician admits to sending text saying ‘my job is boring’ during a hearing

Australian politician admits to sending text saying ‘my job is boring’ during a hearing

Federal MP Mark Parton has publicly acknowledged that he sent a text message reading “my job is boring” while he was giving evidence at a Senate committee hearing on 30 July 2026. The admission was made during a press conference on 6 August 2026, after a transcript of his phone records was released by the Parliamentary Ethics Committee.

Parton, a senior member of the Liberal‑National coalition representing the Queensland electorate of Maranoa, was appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Public Administration to answer questions about the Department of Infrastructure’s recent procurement scandal. At 10:12 am, midway through the cross‑examination, the text was sent to a personal contact, according to the phone log.

When asked why he sent the message, Parton said he was “momentarily frustrated by the pace of the inquiry and the repetitive nature of the questioning.” He added that the text was intended for a close friend and was not meant for public consumption.

Reactions

• Opposition leader Dr Emily Chen called the incident “a clear breach of parliamentary decorum” and urged the Speaker to consider sanctions.
• Prime Minister Jacob Reynolds expressed “disappointment” but noted that Parton had “taken responsibility and issued an apology.”
• Parliamentary Ethics Committee chair Senator Louise McAllister said the matter would be referred to the Privileges Committee for a formal review.
• Public response on social media was mixed, with some voters mocking the comment as “relatable” while others demanded higher standards of conduct.

Parton’s apology, delivered in the press conference, read: “I regret that my off‑hand comment was recorded during an official proceeding. I understand the importance of maintaining professionalism and will ensure it does not happen again.” He also pledged to support reforms that improve the transparency and efficiency of parliamentary hearings.

The incident has reignited debate over the use of personal devices in parliamentary settings. Earlier this year, the Senate introduced a voluntary “no‑phone” policy during hearings, but compliance has been inconsistent.

Legal experts note that while sending a text does not automatically constitute contempt, it could be interpreted as “disrespectful conduct” under the Parliament’s Code of Conduct. The Privileges Committee is expected to deliver its findings within the next six weeks.

Parton, who has served in parliament since 2013 and previously held the portfolio of Regional Development, has not indicated whether he will step down from any committee roles pending the investigation.