Aussie MP defends beer stunt

An Australian MP criticised for downing a beer while doing a handstand has defended his behaviour as “drinking responsibly.”

Andrew Laming, a Queensland MP, was pictured on Facebook performing the stunt at a private Australia Day party in his constituency of Bowman.

The photograph attracted a mixed response from the electorate at a time when the state is in the middle of debating whether to introduce new laws aimed at tackling alcohol-related disorder.

However Laming, who has a history of controversial comments on social media, told news.com.au that he would not apologise, saying: “I chose to drink my beer upside down and obviously still drinking responsibly – that’s the way I celebrate the national day among friends.”

The party marked the final stop in a series of 12 events attended by Laming that day. One guest suggested to the news wire: “because it was people all under 35 I think he was trying to appeal to a younger age of voters, he was just trying to have a bit of fun.”

Although the photo of his stunt has since been removed from Facebook, Laming insisted: “It wasn’t dangerous, in fact it was well-received. You’ve got to be a bit mean spirited to criticise someone drinking a beer just because they’re upside down.”