Australian Capital Territory opposition leader Mark Parton tells journalists that he sent a text message reading “fuck, my job is boring” during a parliamentary hearing. According to multiple reports, Parton initially denied the complaint in full and described it as a “smear.” He later acknowledges sending the message, but disputes the allegation that it was sent to a sex worker.
The dispute begins with an anonymous complaint submitted to the Legislative Assembly’s commissioner for standards. The complaint alleges that last week’s text was directed to a sex worker. Parton, in his later comments, says he sent the text but denies any intent or recipient described in the complaint.
The reports present Parton’s account as a partial admission of the act (sending the message) paired with a denial of the key disputed detail (that the recipient was a sex worker). The matter is tied to the standards commissioner process connected to the Legislative Assembly.
