Greek Australian politicians filmed enjoying themselves at a Bali nightclub have defended their rights to a good time following criticism of footage, released by the Herald Sun, showing them dancing on 28 December.
Victoria’s Health Minister Jenny Mikakos, Labor MPs Nick Staikos and Steve Dimopoulos and Jackson Taylor were all filmed dancing at the Motel Mexicola in Seminyak.
At some point a bartender poured a shot into Mr Dimopoulos’ mouth.
Filmed a day before the bushfires prompted an evacuation of Victoria’s East Gippsland region, Victorian Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said Minister Mikakos should have been home.
Ms Mikakos told Neos Kosmos she went on the holiday prior to the eruption of bushfires in Victoria, and returned as soon as she heard of the situation, trying unsuccessfully to get an earlier flight from 29 December because she wanted to return immediately.
“After a difficult year, we decided to take a few days of leave during Christmas,” she said. “During my absence, another minister was temporarily substituting my absence. We went on holidays with my good colleagues, and we went to a restaurant to eat. At some point, Zorba played and they got up to dance. I’m proud of my heritage.”
The minister stressed that she tried to return to Australia as quickly as possible upon hearing of the crisis not because she “had to” but because she wanted to. Furthermore, the holiday was personal and no taxpayer money was spent.
Former Liberal party premier Jeff Kennett was critical of those who condemned the behaviour of the MPs, calling them “boring” and “peasants”.
“We’ve got some big issues we’ve got to face in this country and it’s the minutiae that gets the most attention, and it drives me insane,” Mr Kennett told 3AW.
Ms Mikakos Tweeted: