Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie vows to escalate comments from Labor rival whole told her he would metaphorically 'cut you up' during heated tax debate

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 10:05, 25 May 2026 | Updated: 10:13, 25 May 2026 A Labor politician has sparked outrage during a Senate committee hearing when he told a female opponent he would 'cut you up' during a heated debate over tax policy. The discussion between Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie and WA Labor Senator Glenn Sterle quickly descended into personal barbs. However, it became really heated when McKenzie criticised the Labor government's stance on refusing to reduce the fuel excise and trucking industry taxes. 'I don't think the trucking industry is approving of this government's approach to fuel excise, the truckie tax, or taxes on small business,' she said. Sterle said it was a cheap shot. McKenzie then suggested they should 'go to the National Press Club' to have a proper debate on the topic. 'I'll cut you up,' Sterle fired back at McKenzie, who repeated the phrase in shock. 'Metaphorically, I will carve you up, is what I should say,' he added. Bridget McKenzie (pictured) was told she would be 'cut up' by Labor Senator Glenn Sterle The pair continued to argue as Sterle became noticeably more frustrated when McKenzie spoke about 'sham contractors' in the trucking sector.  At one point he asked to swap seats with the minister being questioned so he could lecture McKenzie.  'Oh my goodness mate, can I come and sit down there, minister, can we swap? And I can educate the ignoramus on the other side,' he said, referring to McKenzie. 'Ignoramus, going to carve me up, going to cut me up, anything else?' McKenzie said, adding she would escalate the matter. 'I'll be writing to Katy and Penny on that one,' she said, referring to Women's Minister Katy Gallagher and Labor Senate leader Penny Wong. The pair continued to clash, with Sterle accusing McKenzie of lacking preparation, while McKenzie condemned what she described as aggressive rhetoric. 'What a charmer. Ladies, I hope you're listening,' she said. The argument went on for about two minutes before another politician suggested they take a brief break.  Sterle (pictured) made the comments during a heated argument during Senate estimates  When they returned, Sterle said he regretted using some 'choice words'.  In a similar incident, Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also drew criticism last week over comments made during a radio interview. He was asked about calls for a royal commission into violence against women, but seemingly brushed the matter off. 'Well, there's calls for a royal commission about everything,' he said on Hobart radio station Hit100.9. 'I think deaths of women are pretty paramount, wouldn't you say?' host Christie Hayes responded. 'Yeah, they are, but you've got to work out what does a royal commission do, besides fund lawyers,' Albanese said. Labor's Women's Minister Katy Gallagher said she was aware of Monday's incident.   'The language used by Senator Sterle earlier today was not appropriate, he has recognised this and has apologised,' she told Daily Mail. Daily Mail has contacted Glenn Sterle for comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.