ACT Opposition Leader Mark Parton has admitted to sending a text message during budget estimates that said, "f*** my job is boring," though he did not disclose the recipient of the message.

The Canberra Liberals leader addressed the issue in a press conference on Thursday morning, August 6, 2026. Previously, a complaint was lodged alleging that the text had been sent to a sex worker, an allegation Parton denies.

Parton stated he was informed by the standards commissioner that an anonymous complaint had been received but the commissioner decided not to investigate further, as he was obliged to do. "The complaint has been dismissed," Parton said when asked directly about the allegation involving a sex worker.

Commissioner Ken Crispin, when approached by ABC, declined to comment on individual complaints.

Parton also mentioned the demanding nature of his work, including recently working an 80-hour week. He added, "Because on occasions when there are some actors who are trying to cause damage to you, I think it's warranted to make the call to have some matters investigated and that's what we'll be seeking to do again with this."

He declined to entertain questions he considered unrelated and not in the public interest.

Sources