Labor MP Kyle McGinn has created headlines around the world by concluding his final speech in the Western Australia Legislative Council with a “shoey”.

He told the chamber: “I thought so long and hard about how I would finish this speech and my constituents in the Goldfields I think will be particularly appreciative.

“There’s only one way to do it and I’m used to getting told off, so we might as well get this over and done with, but, I would like to say to the members and constituents across WA, thank you for two fantastic terms, cheers.”

The “shoey”, which involves drinking alcohol from a shoe, is a drinking tradition that’s been around – for some unfathomable reason – since the early 20th century. It was popularised by Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, who performed one on the podium after finishing second in the 2016 German Grand Prix. 

As for the beer McGinn chose, it was a can of Margaret River’s CBCo Brewing draught.

Reactions in the chamber varied from shock to laughter, while some even applauded him before Legislative Council President Alanna Clohesy ordered him to sit down.

Later, in an interview with 6PR, McGinn said: “I think parliament can often seem inaccessible, I know when I first went into parliament I thought it was just about politicians but there are normal people up there.

“Sometimes you just celebrate your own way and that has been me the whole way through.”

It’s not McGinn’s first MP shoey. The member for Mining and Pastoral Region posted photographs of himself enjoying a shoey to celebrate Labor’s win in Kalgoorlie in 2021.