NSW

'Revolting slug': NSW Parliament's surprise Donald Trump condemnation

As allegations of his sexually improper behaviour pour forth, the NSW upper house has passed a motion condemning Donald Trump and endorsing a description of the Republican nominee as a "revolting slug".

Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham's motion condemning Mr Trump was passed without objection or a formal vote on Thursday morning.  

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'Revolting slug': NSW upper house condemns Trump

The NSW Legislative Council unanimously pass Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham's motion declaring Donald Trump "unfit for public office".

"[This house] agrees with those who have described Mr Trump as 'a revolting slug' unfit for public office," the motion read. 

In a reference to Mr Trump's recently revealed remarks about grabbing women, Mr Buckingham said that all "reasonable and decent people find Donald Trump's behaviour obnoxious".

"Many of the Trump positions are reasonable enough," former prime minister Tony Abbott said.
"Many of the Trump positions are reasonable enough," former prime minister Tony Abbott said.  Photo: AP

President of the Legislative Council Don Harwin​ allowed the motion only after looking into whether the term "revolting slug" amounted to unparliamentary language.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay was recently forced to withdraw his description of an opposition MLC as a "smart arse" for that reason.

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In 1888 an MP was booted from the chamber for describing an opponent as a "villain" and a "blackguard" after intimating a fight. 

Greens' Upper House Member Jeremy Buckingham said all reasonable people find Mr Trump obnoxious.
Greens' Upper House Member Jeremy Buckingham said all reasonable people find Mr Trump obnoxious.  Photo: Simone De Peak

But because Mr Buckingham's motion was not directed towards another MP it was understood to have been allowed through. The motion also quotes another person's use of the term, not Mr Buckingham's own. 

It may, though, be the first time Mr Trump has been described in those precise terms on the record.

Former US talk show host  and comedian Rosie O'Donnell​, has previously described Mr Trump as an "orange slug". He has also been called a "disgusting slug".

Mr Trump has in turn described O'Donnell as a "true loser".

The two have been engaged in a decade-long feud that predates Mr Trump's entry into national politics.

Parliamentary procedure prevents members from using "extremely distasteful" words and also against "tedious repetition".

Mr Trump's campaign has recorded a sharp drop in the polls after video emerged of him apparently describing a personal history of forceful sexual behaviour towards women, comments that were picked up by a microphone a decade ago while recording an episode of the Access Hollywood program.

Illustration Alan Moir

Illustration Alan Moir

On Thursday, several reports emerged of subsequent behaviour. The New York Times reported that Mr Trump had kissed a young receptionist on the mouth while they were riding in a lift together.

Mr Buckingham is known for his stunts inside and outside the chamber.

He has previously made a show of "vaping" in Parliament, or using an electronic cigarette to protest against a lack of regulation of the devices.

Earlier this year, he made a show of setting the Condamine River in Queensland alight to highlight what he claimed was the disruption of methane caused by nearby coal seam gas mining.