It started during a committee hearing into the Management and Execution of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan on Wednesday last week, that ended with the Deniliquin-based Senator Perin Davey shouting.
Senators were questioning the new interim inspector-general of water compliance Troy Grant, which led to Senator Patrick saying "I know the National Party doesn't go anywhere near compliance. I don't understand it.”
Defending her party's reputation, Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie asked him to withdraw the comment, but Senator Patrick wouldn't because he thought "that's the actual truth."
While Senate committee hearings are no strangers to verbal argy-bargy between political rivals, Senator Davey was not going to let the independent senator get away with his remark.
“It's the National Party who appointed an inspector general,” she said.
“It's the National Party who appointed the Natural Resources Access Regulator in NSW. It's the National Party in NSW who have led the way in developing new technology ...
“... and I remind Senator Patrick that South Australia has dragged the chain when it comes to (inaudible) for years, allowing these irrigators to take water that's not even in their (inaudible).
“Withdraw that remark, Senator Patrick, or I will make the same statement about all South Australians,” the NSW senator shouted.
But Senator Patrick was seemingly unfazed by his opposition's comments, responding with "I think I touched a nerve there". Furthermore, he wouldn't back down.
Trying to move proceedings along, committee chair Slade Brockman asked for a withdrawal for about the fourth time, but Senator Patrick remained defiant and even chipped in another backhander.
“What I will say is that the National Party doesn't have a good record in NSW in respect of river management.”
Senator McKenzie called Senator Patrick "a joke". The session was then closed.
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