Premier Steven Miles accused of misleading parliament over SMS denial
Queensland Premier Steven Miles has been accused of misleading parliament amid claims he lied when he denied sending a text to a factional colleague.
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Queensland Premier Steven Miles could be referred to the Speaker over allegations he misled parliament by denying he sent a text to factional colleague Ali King.
Mr Miles is expected to apologise in parliament on Tuesday for claiming he did not send a text to Ms King on October 11 while she was embroiled in controversy for asking constituents to send job applications for work at a new satellite hospital through her electorate email.
On February 14, in his first parliamentary sitting as Premier, Mr Miles was asked by Burleigh MP Michael Hart to confirm “he did not send an SMS” to Ms King between 10am and 11.30 on October 11.
“I thank the member for Burleigh. I can,” the Premier responded.
While a Right To Information request turned up nothing, an image has now emerged purportedly showing a text from Mr Miles to Ms King on October 11 in which he suggests she rise in parliament to apologise for the “error of judgement” – a direction she appeared to follow.
Mr Miles on Monday claimed a memory lapse prompted his February 14 denial that he sent the text to Ms King – a close left-faction colleague.
“I answered, as I always do, to the best of my recollection,” he said.
“If my recollection was incorrect, then I will correct the record and apologise at the earliest opportunity, as is the appropriate parliamentary process.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said questions about Mr Miles’s integrity were mounting.
“The Premier’s lies will be prosecuted in parliament,” he said.
“The next steps will depend on whether he keeps lying or not.”
Ms King’s call for job applicants to send their CVs to her electorate office to be forwarded on to Queensland Health was labelled a corruption risk by the LNP.
“You can subscribe to be notified when they are listed, or you can also email your CV to my office and Metro North are letting me email them through to be kept on file,” Ms King said in the October Facebook post.
“But frankly if you’re doing that I would also apply through SmartJobs.”
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