Apologies have flowed after a “moment of silliness” in the Northern Territory Parliament when the disability services minister mocked deaf people.
Parliament video streamed online appears to show the minister John Elferink making mock sign language translations after an opposition MLA with hearing difficulties asked another MLA to repeat herself.
The MLA, Gerry McCarthy, who represents the central Australian desert electorate of Barkly, was clearly not impressed at Mr Elferink.
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Mr Elferink leans to his right in what appeared to be an effort to avoid being seen on the parliamentary broadcast and begins gesticulating in an attempt to make sign language.
He can be seen partially in the frame before he leans back into his chair with a stifled grin.
See the video here.
A supportive MLA, Natasha Fyles, had told the parliament that Mr McCarthy is deaf, after jeering from a government backbencher Matt Conlan: “Are you seriously having trouble hearing?”.
Conlan was fixed with Mr McCarthy’s withering stare.
“I think it’s worth challenging the Minister for Disabilities for an apology to all Territorians with a hearing impairment,” Mr McCarthy said later to the ABC.
In response Mr Elferink said he had “dropped his standards” and it created “the story of the day”.
“The moment I did it I regretted it, and of course, if anybody’s offended by my actions I unequivocally and wholesomely apologise,” he said.
National Disability Services recently welcomed Mr Elferink to the role praising him for his “willingness to engage with the Territory community in the development of government policy”.
On Thursday the national peak body for non-government disability services, which seeks to advise government on policy, had no comment about Mr Elferink’s actions in Parliament.
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