Wild video shows former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack in a tense confrontation with an NRL fan after a State of Origin watch party. The Nationals MP said the trouble began inside the Eastlake Football Club, where a group of Queensland fans, some in high vis jackets, were 'extremely boisterous' throughout the game.
McCormack Details the Incident
'This bloke had been out of control most of the game,' he told Sky News host Kieran Gilbert and political editor Andrew Clennell on Thursday. 'I'd asked the staff to remove him at halftime because he was totally out of control.'
The situation escalated after full-time when the man allegedly attempted to urinate near the club entrance. McCormack said he intervened immediately. 'He started to abuse me, he then started to urinate right near the steps, and I said, "Mate, there's women going to come out of the club, you can't do that here,"' he said.
The confrontation quickly intensified when the man followed him outside, McCormack said. 'Halfway through the process he wanted to take my head off. It was a bit concerning,' he added.
Political Confusion Fuels Confrontation
McCormack claimed the confrontation was partly fuelled by political confusion, with the men targeting those they believed were linked to Labor and Anthony Albanese. He said the group had been 'abusing the Prime Minister, yelling obscenities out about the Prime Minister' during the night. 'They must have thought we were part of the government,' he added. 'Mate, you might not like the bloke, but you've got to respect the office,' he said.
Despite the risk of escalation, McCormack said he did not regret stepping in. 'If you let that behaviour go unchallenged, then that's the behaviour you accept,' he told the Sky News hosts. 'Men should step up and speak out whenever that sort of behaviour is shown.'
Security staff and Liberal MP Tony Pasin defused the situation, ensuring no further violence occurred.
