lAustralian politician resigns after he insults opponent's wife, pinches bottom of female journalist, and propositions another at alcohol fuelled party

Politics

Insult Asian women, quit politics in Australia AGENCIES Sydeny, August, 29:  A leading Australian politician resigned today after it was revealed that he called an opponent’s Malaysian wife a “Mail Order Bride”, pinched the bottom of one female journalist and propositioned another at an alcohol-fuelled party. New South Wales Opposition Liberal Party leader John Brogden told a hastily-called news conference that he regretted his “inappropriate” behaviour and would quit the post that could have seen him become state premier. He denied being drunk at the party thrown for the media by the Australian Hotels Association three weeks ago but admitted drinking six beers to celebrate the recent resignation of the long- ding Premier, Bob Carr. With Carr out of the way, Brogden, 37, was tipped to have a strong chance of taking the premiership at the next state elections in 2007. But his career was in ruins today after reports of his behaviour at the party surfaced in local newspapers, and he told the news conference: “I acted dishonourably and now is the time to act honourably.” Prime Minister John Howard, leader of Brogden’s liberal party, earlier condemned the remarks about Carr’s Malaysian-born wife Helena as “just quite wrong”. “I know Helena Carr and she’s a very gracious person. That sort of comment should never have been made.” Carr, who resigned in July after leading Australia’s most populous state for 10 years, rejected Brogden’s apology. “I think that his apology is entirely unacceptable to Helena and that is the greatest insult not only to her but of every woman of Asian background,” Carr said. His wife Helena said the remark was “hurtful”.

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