Meet the Australian Anthony Weiner

Australian MP Peter Dowling stepped down after reportedly texting a photo of his genitals submerged in red wine

Published August 7, 2013 7:58PM (EDT)

   (<a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-90500p1.html'>  Igor Normann </a> via <ahref='http://www.shutterstock.com/'>Shutterstock</a>)
( Igor Normann via Shutterstock)

Anthony Weiner is famous, mostly, for snapping photos of his "down under" and posting them to the Internet. And right now, there is a politician in Australia -- which is sometimes colloquially referred to as "Down Under" (!!!) -- in trouble for doing the same thing.

The synchronicity is real.

Peter Dowling, chairman of the Queensland parliament's ethics committee, is reported to have sent a series of explicit text messages to his mistress of two years, including a photo of his genitals "plonked in a glass of red wine," according to a report from the Courier-Mail.

Dowling is also being accused of financing travel related to the affair using public funds, a claim that is currently under investigation. He has stepped down as the head of the ethics committee, but denies accusations that he misused public money.

In a statement on the affair, Dowling said: "To my children, mum, brother and sister, my extended family and friends I am sorry for the shame and embarrassment that I have caused you." He also added, rightly, an apology to his staff for all the awkward media requests that are inevitably coming their way: "I owe my staff an apology for the calls and emails they will no doubt be fielding."


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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Anthony Weiner Dick Pics Red Wine