PM Anthony Albanese launches attack on outgoing LNP MP Stuart Robert for failing to leave

Anthony Albanese has played down Labor’s chances of another miracle by-election on the Gold Coast after Liberal National MP Stuart Robert announced his departure from the seat of Fadden.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Goodstart Early Learning, South Tweed Heads. Picture: Supplied

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has played down Labor’s chances of another miracle by election win in the Gold Coast seat of Fadden as he launched a blistering attack on outgoing LNP MP Stuart Robert for failing to leave.

Mr Robert, a controversial former Scott Morrison Government cabinet minister, announced last week he was retiring, sparking a by-election in the northern Gold Coast seat.

Labor pulled off a historic by-election win in the Victorian seat of Aston last month, marking the first time in more than a century that a federal government has won a seat from the opposition in a by-election.

Liberal National Party Member of Parliament, Stuart Robert. Picture: Mike Batterham

High-profile candidates including senior Gold Coast councillor Cameron Caldwell and doctor Dinesh Palipana are fighting for LNP preselection for Fadden while a Labor candidate is yet to emerge.

Speaking at Tweed Heads, Mr Albanese said Labor’s Aston victory was a “one in a hundred year event”.

“Fadden is of course a very safe Liberal Party seat, so our expectations would be very realistic,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Goodstart Early Learning, South Tweed Heads. Picture: Supplied

“We haven’t made a decision about what we will do in Fadden and indeed, Stuart Robert hasn’t (officially) resigned yet.

“He’s still the member for Fadden, he’s just not turning up for work, and Peter Dutton thinks that’s fine.”

Asked about disarray in Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government, with a cabinet reshuffle and crises including youth crime and health, Mr Albanese said the real chaos was in the LNP.

“Peter Dutton has lost four shadow cabinet ministers this year,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Goodstart Early Learning, South Tweed Heads. Picture: Supplied

“Yesterday, he was out there saying it’s business as usual for Stuart Robert to be collecting his pay as a member of parliament and as a shadow minister.

“He (Robert) said that he’s resigning but he hasn’t resigned so no date can be set for the by-election, but he’s not turning up for parliament.

“That is not business as usual. This is completely unacceptable and Peter Dutton seems to think anything goes with regard to members of his team.

“If you’re a member of parliament … you have to turn up. He (Robert) continues to be paid as the representative of the people of Fadden, and they deserve better.”