MP’s ‘historic’ King Charles moment

Freshly elected Aston MP Mary Doyle has “made history” as the first person to swear allegiance to King Charles III.

In defeating the Coalition following Alan Tudge’s retirement, Ms Doyle’s election made history as the first time a government had won a seat off the Coalition in a by-election in 100 years.

Fresh from his trip to the UK for the Coronation, Anthony Albanese said Ms Doyle’s election was as historic as her swearing in.

“Today the member for Aston joins us in the work of building a better future,” the Prime Minister told the parliament.

“Mary is someone who grew up in public housing. A mortgage holder who knows the pressure that is family budgets, a working parent who has seen the rising cost of childcare, a cancer survivor who knows the true meaning of Medicare, a proud citizen of the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne who cares about her community and cares about the local environment.

“Mary Doyle is a person who is driven by the oldest and deepest Australian aspiration – the aspiration for a better life and a great opportunity for the next generation.

“I look forward to future history that you are going to create over many years as the member for Aston.”

Ms Doyle threw the first Dorothy Dixer at Mr Albanese in Tuesday’s question time – asking how the government was “cleaning up the mess of the last decade and laying a strong foundation for a better future”.

Mr Albanese threw a parting dig at the retired Mr Tudge as he answered.

“The first question I have ever gotten from the member for Aston! The previous one was mute for the entire term,” he said.