Footage has resurfaced of Penny Wong withdrawing a Tourette syndrome gibe in the wake of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses grovelling apology for making the same blunder.
Senator Wong, who is now foreign minister, had been attempting to answer a question at a Senate committee session in 2013 when she was interrupted by Liberal Senator Mathias Cormann.
Can you contain yourself? Its like youve got Tourettes or something. Is that the one where you cant stop talking? she said.
ADD? Oh yeah, thats true, when you swear. Thats what Im thinking of.
Former Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi asked that Senator Wong go back to answering the question.
Im trying to answer a question. Every time I do he starts to speak, she said.
Later Senator Bernardi brought up the exchange again.
Its been drawn to my attention that in an earlier exchange between Senator Wong and Senator Cormann, he said.
A resurfaced clip shows Foreign Minister Penny Wong being forced to apologise for a very similar Tourettes jibe that Prime Minister Anthony said sorry for on Tuesday
There was a suggestion that Senator Cormann had Tourette syndrome or attention deficit disorder.
Senator Wong withdrew her comment with the additional remark that it was incorrect.
And I got it wrong apparently too, cause I forgot that Tourettes is when you swear and hes not swearing, she said.
Senator Bernardi shot her an annoyed look but continued with proceedings.
On Tuesday Mr Albanese was forced to return to parliament after accusing shadow treasurer Angus Taylor of having Tourrettes.
Today in Question Time, I made comments that were unkind and hurtful, he said.
I knew it was wrong as soon as I made the comment.
Mr Albanese was forced to return to Parliament to apologise for this Tourettes insult aimed at Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor
I apologised and I withdrew as soon as I said it, but it shouldnt have happened and I also want to apologise to all Australians who suffer from this disability.
I regret saying it. It was wrong. It was insensitive. And I apologise.
Mr Albanese was accused of mocking people with disabilities by asking if Mr Taylor had the disorder - which can include uncontrollable outbursts of offensive words - because he repeatedly interrupted.
The gibe was condemned by the Opposition and a disability advocate and mum-of-three children with the disorder, who said she was disgusted by the Prime Ministers comment.