Tensions in Victoria's Labor government over the assisted dying bill have spilled out in an accidental text message as state MPs continue a fierce all-night debate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Health Minister Jill Hennessy called Deputy Premier James Merlino a "c---" in a text message sent to him by mistake on Wednesday night, it has been confirmed by numerous parliamentary sources.
Mr Merlino, a fierce opponent of the Daniel Andrews government's bid to legalise a strictly monitored euthanasia scheme, had proposed an amendment that would have killed off the bill, long-championed by Labor as a flagship policy.
The amendment was narrowly defeated and it's understood Mr Merlino is angry about the text message from his colleague.
On Friday morning Victorian State MPs had been up all night debating the right-to-die legislation and there is no end in sight to the marathon parliamentary session.
Debate over the divisive bill began at 9.30am on Thursday.
Increasingly frustrated supporters of the bill are accusing their opponents of deliberate delaying tactics as both sides wrangle over more than 300 proposed amendments to the bill.
Greens MP Ellen Sandell tweeted about "some appalling behaviour" during the sitting.
"Filibustering on assisted dying legislation by Libs and Nats overnight has been really disappointing," she wrote.
Filibustering - a tactic often deployed in the US Senate - is a political move whereby one or more members of parliament debate over a proposed piece of legislation in order to delay a vote, or prevent it entirely.
The government has not given up hope of getting the controversial laws through on Friday, but by 6am, the debate had only covered 7 of the bill's 160 clauses as opponents of assisted arguing over each line of the proposed laws.
Mr Merlino's office declined to comment on the text.
A spokeswoman for Ms Hennessy wasn't giving anything away.
"The minister doesn't comment on private conversations," she said.
With AAP
