A QUEENSLAND Labor MP has been severely reprimanded by Kevin Rudd for attempting to sell a photo of a man who tried to set himself on fire.
Member for Dawson, James Bidgood, who appeared rattled when he apologised in the House of Representatives, could face a parliamentary investigation.
The incident was sparked when Marat Aminov, who jumped from the House of Representatives gallery this week in a bid to keep his parents in Australia, doused himself in petrol and threatened to set himself alight.
Mr Bidgood photographed the incident and then tried to sell it to newspapers for at least $1000.
But news of the negotiations reached the Prime Minister's Office, which demanded Mr Bidgood apologise for his "offensive" actions.
In a statement, Mr Bidgood said: "This afternoon at an event, I took photographs of a serious incident.
"I later passed those photographs on to a news organisation in return for a donation to a charity connected to disabilities.
"My actions were highly insensitive and inappropriate and I am tonight writing a letter of apology to the family involved.
"I deeply regret my actions and I apologise once again for any offence I have caused."
Speaker of the House Harry Jenkins said the incident was a reminder that the lower house may want to consider a code of conduct.
But manager of Opposition business Joe Hockey demanded Mr Jenkins act further.
"This incredibly disturbing image provided by the member of parliament to the media outlet raises a number of very alarming issues," Mr Hockey said.
"I ask you to advise the House whether there have been any breaches of security by the Member for Dawson, whether he has abused the entitlements of his office or if there is any other conduct totally unbecoming of a member of this parliament in relation to this tasteless matter."
Mr Jenkins said he would consider whether he had the power to investigate the incident and report back to the lower house.
Mr Aminov's parents arrived in Australia on temporary business visas in 1997.
Bidgood's gaffe as he calls Rudd 'indiscreet'
14th November 2008
MEMBER for Dawson James Bidgood was thrust into the middle of a national political controversy yesterday when he made a gaffe and said there was "no question" that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had been "indiscreet".
Mr Bidgood's comments were broadcast on ABC television last night and caused a storm during Question Time in Federal Parliament when Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull quoted what the Member for Dawson had said about the Prime Minister.
Mr Bidgood had been speaking to the media about allegations that Mr Rudd had leaked details to the Australian newspaper of a private phone conversation he had several weeks ago with US President George W Bush.
Mr Bidgood said: "There's no question that Kevin Rudd was indiscreet. The case is closed; no damage is done. That's the official US line."
Mr Turnbull seized on Mr Bidgood's comments and reported them to the House.
"I refer to the statement of the Member for Dawson this morning, and I quote, "There's no question that Kevin Rudd was indiscreet when false and damaging details of a private and confidential conversation with the United States President were leaked to the media".
Mr Bidgood later stood up in Parliament to make it clear his comments had been a slip-up and he had not meant to say that Mr Rudd had been indiscreet.
"This morning in an interview on the doors of Parliament House I mis-spoke. Later in the same interview, I clearly stated and I quote, "I'm not saying the Prime Minister's indiscreet at all, absolutely not".
Mr Rudd, the US ambassador and the White House have denied an account of the phone call reported in The Weekend Australian in which Mr Rudd was reportedly stunned to hear Mr Bush ask: "What's the G20?"
He declined to answer a question asking whether the prearranged call could have been overheard by the editor in chief of The Australian newspaper, Chris Mitchell, who was a dinner guest at the prime minister's Sydney residence Kirribilli House on the night.