Dempsey denies trip was for personal use

BUNDABERG MP Jack Dempsey has denied a trip to Cairns to watch his son play footy was changed into a taxpayer-funded business jaunt.

BUNDABERG MP Jack Dempsey has denied a trip to Cairns to watch his son play footy was changed into a taxpayer-funded business jaunt, saying the Premier directed him to the North Queensland city.

Mr Dempsey's Cairns travel arrangements in May 2012, came under attack when the Opposition asked him, during a Parliamentary Estimates hearing, whether he directed staff to come up with a "professional reason" for the trip.

Mr Dempsey ended up meeting with the heads of Queensland Fire and Rescue, police and ambulance in the region.

The official reason meant taxpayers footed the bill for the trip.

Mr Dempsey said he had planned - before he was made Police Minister - to go to Cairns to watch his son play football.

He said the weeks and days evolved and the Premier advised him to go to Cairns because of crime issues.