Leo and the lads Party On

by bodyline Tue 03 Jun 2008, 02:51

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23801628-2,00.html

A TWO-day boozefest by a group of Young Labor members has left their Canberra hotel rooms trashed and staff and guests disgusted.

Pictures obtained by The Daily Telegraph show what the group left behind, with almost every surface of one suite covered in empty liquor bottles.

The scenes of drunken carnage are in stark contrast to the Government's hardline stance on youth binge drinking and its tax hike on alcopops.

Witnesses at Canberra's Pinnacle Apartments said the group held wild parties until as late as 5am last Friday and Saturday nights while they were in town for a Young Labor conference.

It is understood that on each night up to 50 youths crammed into just one apartment, drinking, shouting, playing loud music and prompting a torrent of complaints from staff and guests.

Many were wearing Young Labor T-shirts with the party logo.

"Both nights the behaviour was appalling - drinking, raucous and boisterous conduct throughout both nights, littering the property and leaving several of their 'partying' rooms in disarray," one witness said.

"Despite countless warnings - on arrival, from staff and security on both evenings - they continued to arrogantly ignore requests."

In one case, when a female staff member attempted to tell them to be quiet, one of the partygoers propositioned her, saying words to the effect of: "Come in and join us." Another reveller became argumentative on Sunday morning as he checked out when management declined to hand back his credit card until they had checked for damage.

An observer said the group had disgraced Labor and hurt its credibility as a party that is both supportive of workers and tough on booze.

"The Young Labor group is deplorable and exhibits a direct hypocrisy to Labor itself," the witness said.

Young Labor refused to comment officially yesterday.

However a party source confirmed there had been complaints at the hotel and these had been complied with - something witnesses deny.

He said the revellers were from the left wing and members at another venue had been perfectly well behaved.

Pinnacle Apartments management said they were unable to comment.

It is believed up to 80 per cent of the rooms at Pinnacle were booked by more than 100 conference-goers. Most checked out on Sunday, after which the photos were taken.

The Federal Government has backed a 70 per cent tax rise on pre-mixed drinks that is estimated will rake in the Government an extra $500 million. It is aimed at curbing binge drinking, but the measures have since attracted opposition.