Latest news with #ParliamentofWesternAustralia
Mint
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Love me or hate me': Politician drinks beer from a shoe during farewell speech in Parliament
A Western Australian Labor MP, known for his mullet and tattoos, gave a fun farewell in Parliament. Kyle McGinn ended his last speech by doing a 'shoey'. It's a popular Aussie celebration where you drink beer from a shoe. McGinn represented the Mining and Pastoral Region for two terms. He called himself an 'accidental politician' and said his message was that Parliament was for everyone. At the beginning of his speech, he removed one of his shoes and placed it on the table, evoking laughter from some members. "I thought so long and hard about how I will finish this speech, and my constituents in the Goldfields, I think, will be particularly appreciative," McGinn said. In his final speech, he thanked the people of Western Australia for their support and said his farewell would be appreciated by those in the Goldfields. 'Members, love me or hate me. I haven't changed who I am. I hope this speech has explained to members what is important to me. I thought long and hard about how to finish this speech. There was only one way to do it,' he added. 'And, I'm used to getting told off, so we might as well get this over and done with. But, I would like to say to the members and the constituents across WA, thank you for two fantastic terms. Cheers," he said and poured beer from a can to a shoe. President Alanna Clohesy immediately got up and asked the politician to take his seat, 'Now!' As many members clapped and laughed, Clohesy said, 'The honourable member is very well aware that he ran a very fine line in offending the dignity of the council. So, I assume his speech has now concluded.' His action did not go well with many social media users. 'Whenever people say Americans are the most crass and vulgar people on Earth, I remind them that Australia exists,' wrote one user. Many other users found it offensive. As per the rules of the Parliament of Western Australia, no food or drink is allowed into the House, forget about alcohol. Kyle McGinn, once a cook at an oil rig, joined politics after two of his co-workers died on the job. He entered Western Australia's Legislative Council in 2017. At first, he never thought someone like him, who failed Year 12 and had tattoos, could be a politician. But, he soon believed Parliament belonged to everyone.
NDTV
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Australian MP Ends Term By Drinking Beer From Shoe - A Celebration Style Called 'Shoey'
Culinary traditions in the world reflect the rich tapestry of culture, history, and geography. For example, Japan's tea ceremony shows the country's hospitality and deep-rooted values. Meanwhile, the coffee ceremony in Ethiopia is a ritualistic practice where coffee is brewed in a pot called a jebena. Along similar lines, Australia's unconventional celebratory custom is 'shoey', which is drinking alcohol, usually beer, from a shoe. Yes, you read that right. The tradition recently came into the spotlight after Western Australian MP Kyle McGinn concluded his farewell speech at the parliament by executing this act. In his valedictory speech in the Parliament of Western Australia on May 21, 2025, Kyle McGinn said, "There was only one way to do it. And I am used to getting told off. So we might as well get this over and done with. But I would like to say to the members and the constituents across WA, thank you for two fantastic terms. Cheers." He then cracked open a beer can, took his shoe that he had already placed on the table before beginning his speech, poured the drink into the footwear and chugged it. Soon after, several other parliamentary members broke into applause. Watch the video here: More About The 'Shoey' Tradition Australia is most closely associated with the shoey tradition in modern times, particularly in motorsport and pop culture. Historically, drinking from a shoe has appeared in various forms in early 20th-century Europe, where it was sometimes seen as a symbol of revelry. In German military folklore, drinking from a boot was considered good luck. In Australia, Daniel Ricciardo, a Formula 1 driver, popularised shoey by drinking champagne from his racing shoe on the podium after races. While entertaining to some, others view this tradition as unhygienic.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watch: Australian MP does a ‘shoey' in parliament
Credit: YouTube/ Parliament of Western Australia An Australian state MP ended his final day in parliament by pouring alcohol into his shoe and downing it. Kyle McGinn, who was retiring from the upper house of the parliament of Western Australia, thanked his constituents before doing what Australians call a 'shoey'. He pulled out a canned beverage, to the shock and laughter of his fellow politicians, and declared that he was 'used to getting told off'. 'I thought so long and hard about how I would finish this speech and my constituents in the Goldfields I think will be particularly appreciative,' he said. 'There's only one way to do it and I'm used to getting told off, so we might as well get this over and done with, but, I would like to say to the members and constituents across WA, thank you for two fantastic terms, cheers.' Some members of parliament applauded him until Alanna Clohesy, the house's presiding officer, instructed the MP to sit down. Mr McGinn told local media that he did the 'shoey' to show that there are 'normal people' in parliament. 'I think parliament can often seem inaccessible, I know when I first went into parliament I thought it was just about politicians but there are normal people up there,' he told local radio. 'Sometimes you just celebrate your own way and that has been me the whole way through.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
