Des Houghton: Labor’s broken record exposed

Claims of stabbings, syphilis, Olympic betrayal and union wrongdoing featured this week in Parliament as Steven Miles struggled to fix Labor’s broken record, writes Des Houghton.

Cattle breeder, scuba diver and small business champion Brent Mickelberg, the LNP Member for Buderim, likened the Queensland Council of Unions to an organised crime gang during a spiky debate in Parliament this week.

The quote of the week, however, must surely go to Shannon Fentiman who urged Queenslanders not to give their lovers syphilis on Valentine’s Day.

In her odd speech the Health Minister and ALP Member for Waterford outed Ludwig van Beethoven, Al Capone and Oscar Wilde as syphilis sufferers.

Fentiman was launching the Queensland Syphilis Action Plan speaking of a “concerning surge” of syphilis cases, with another 1,365 cases reported last year.

“Congenital syphilis is a devastating form of syphilis passed on to an unborn baby during pregnancy or at the time of birth and can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or serious health problems,” she said.

The Courier-Mail has previously reported that Townsville and Mackay are syphilis hotspots, and that 30 recent cases in Townsville included a newly born infant.

Fentiman urged safe sex practices and the need for speedier notifications and contact tracing.

“Beethoven, Al Capone and Oscar Wilde once had to have their syphilis treated with mercury. Today it is just as easy as penicillin.

“(If) there is one thing you do not want to be giving your partner this Valentine’s Day, it’s syphilis!”

Mickelberg riled Labor members of Parliament during an impassioned speech about knife crime.

He was speaking for all mums and dads worried about their kids when he said: “We cannot sit by and watch young thugs stabbing and slashing innocent people; people who are just going about their lives.

“I have four young children. It is not the kind of Queensland that I want my children to grow up in. I am sure every Queenslander would agree with that sentiment. My wife and I can guide our children to make good choices, but it is scary to think that we cannot always protect them from others, especially – and I shudder to think – those who may be armed with a knife, machete, or axe.”

He said the new knife laws came too late. “Knife crime is already out of control.”

Mickelberg, 41, who has a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Masters in Applied Finance, is one of the Opposition’s best orators in Parliament.

He nailed it again when he said Labor governments overregulate small businesses.

“Labor continues to wage war on small and family businesses. Even in their latest round of grants they ignored small and family businesses.”

Mickelberg said he didn’t want new laws restricting the sale of knives to unfairly impact on small businesses during the roll-out phase.

Brent Mickelberg MP, Question Time, Parliament House, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Getting tough on small businesses is not getting tough on youth crime,” he said.

He added: “Unfortunately, Labor likes big business because big business likes the unions.

“However, it is small and family businesses that are the backbone of our community. It is the small and family businesses that sponsor the local footy club and provide sausages for the Bunnings sausage sizzle.”

He said Labor did not understand small business. “How many of those opposite have actually worked in or run a small business? Not many compared to this side.”

Mickelberg’s speech was interrupted by an inaudible interjection from Tom Smith, the ALP Member for Bundaberg.

Mickelberg’s reply was quick and crushing: “Come on, mate. The Queensland Council of Unions is not a small business; it is organised crime at its best.”

The provocative retort caused shouts across the Legislative Assembly but was allowed to go to the keeper by acting Speaker, James Lister, who simply urged members to “cease their quarrelling”.

More please, Mr Mickelberg.

Labor spent the week attempting to put lipstick on a pig with a flurry of announcements from ministers designed to distract from its failures on crime, health, education and the Olympic venue debacle.

Steven Miles was only just holding his own. Then he was skewered by a simple question from the LNP’s newly minted Shadow Minister for Police, Dan Purdie.

“Can the Premier confirm that there are 322 fewer police now than 18 months ago?” Purdie asked.

The Premer became flustered. He dodged and weaved and attempted to change the subject, speaking about the fine recruitment program. But he would not answer.

Queensland: Beautiful one day, crime scene the next.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Logan council debacle

I’m told the State Government is willing to offer cash settlements to seven former councillors who unfairly lost their jobs and suffered hurt and “catastrophic” reputational damage in the Logan council debacle described in Parliament as a travesty of justice.

But there will be a fierce argument over the amount, with former acting mayor Cherie Dalley telling me the seven were each entitled to compensation in excess of $2m.

Premier Steven Miles wants to settle the matter and believes the dispute has dragged on for too long. Nearly five years after they were charged in April 2019, the scandal remains unresolved.

A conference between McInnes Wilson lawyers for the Logan Seven, and Ashurst lawyers for the State Government is set down for this month.

The seven swept up in a broad corruption inquiry in 2018 were charged by the CCC with integrity offences but had their cases thrown out before they even went to trial.

However, because of the charges they became ineligible to contest the next civic election.

Dalley said the CCC unfairly destroyed the political careers and caused great personal suffering to she and six other councillors_ Russell Lutton, Phil Pidgeon, Steve Swenson, Laurie Smith, Trevina Schwarz and Jennie Breene. They were left unemployed and feared they faced jail time.

Dalley said the Logan Seven’s claim was two pronged: The ousted councillors are seeking compensation for lost earnings and additional compensation for “malicious damage”.

“We hope it’s settled. We’d rather not go to court but we are due proper justice.”

Paul Tully from McInnes Wilson said: “The Logan Seven have suffered significant loss, both financial and psychological as a result of these charges that at no point had any foundation.”

Irritant of the week

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon for flippantly referring to the LNP Opposition in State Parliament this week as Boy’s Club. Did she not see Ros Bates, Amanda Camm, Deb Frecklington, Laura Gerber, Ann Leahy and Fiona Simpson sitting opposite her in the chamber? Scanlan must apologise and correct her error.