MP Karen Struthers 'a bloody idiot'

SENIOR Queensland Government backbencher Karen Struthers has been arrested for drink-driving at more than three times the legal limit.

CABINET HOPEFUL: Karen Struthers had made four speeches to Parliament on the dangers of drink-driving.

SENIOR Queensland Government backbencher Karen Struthers has been arrested for drink-driving at more than three times the legal limit.

Ms Struthers, 44, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, was driving a government vehicle when she was picked up by police late on Friday night in south Brisbane and gave a blood alcohol reading of .169.

An angry Deputy Premier and Treasurer Anna Bligh yesterday described Ms Struthers as "a bloody idiot" and said she had set a very bad example.

Ms Struthers, who was previously parliamentary secretary to Premier Peter Beattie on multicultural affairs, has made four speeches to Parliament on the dangers of drink-driving.

She was top of the Premier's list of 11 parliamentary secretaries – who earn $140,000 a year – and was almost certain to get the next Cabinet vacancy. She was first elected in 1998.

A highly embarrassed Ms Struthers, the Member for Algester in Brisbane, told The Sunday Mail yesterday that she would plead guilty at her court appearance and said she would "face the music".

"My behaviour was wrong and I need to face the consequences. My behaviour was bad and I certainly regret it," said Ms Struthers, a single parent of a toddler son.

Ms Struthers' driver's licence was suspended automatically for being over .15 and she will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Ms Struthers said she had been with family members on Friday night and had not eaten.

"I am not making any excuses. I probably had four drinks . . . but that is not a good reading at all," she said.

Ms Struthers said she drove a friend to a taxi rank after failing to get through on the phone.

"Stupidly, I should not have been in my car at all."

Ms Struthers attempted to contact Ms Bligh about midnight and left a message on her mobile.

She said she had been "counselled" by the Deputy Premier yesterday morning and was ordered to hand over the keys of her government vehicle as soon as possible.

Ms Bligh confirmed she and Mr Beattie, who was in Sydney yesterday on government business, had read the riot act to their senior backbencher.

"It is a very serious level . . . there are a number of factors involved that add to the seriousness . . . she was driving her government car," Ms Bligh said.

Ms Struthers spoke in Parliament on May 23 on the Transport Operations Legislation Amendment Bill.

"Given the success of drink-driving laws, more people are being responsible when it comes to drinking and driving," she said.

"They are leaving their cars at home and seeking out public transport or taxis.

"We have been putting a lot of money into drink-driving campaigns . . . some people are very irresponsible."

On February 20, Ms Struthers supported legislation to "end the carnage" on Queensland roads.

She said some politicians were young drivers in an era when "many drove with a belly full of alcohol".

"Thankfully, we have come a long way . . . many years of good campaigns such as the drink-driving campaigns have all played their part."

In a statement released late yesterday, Ms Struthers said she felt ashamed.

"I have been counselled by the Premier and have apologised to him for the embarrassment I have caused and for breaching the trust he has placed in me," she said.