Premier ‘very concerned’ by accusations against Labor MP Jim Madden

An embattled Labor backbencher under investigation for allegedly using taxpayer cash to buy art amid other accusations of bullying and harassment is set to keep his $25,000-a-year spot in a parliamentary committee despite the Premier’s concerns.

Jim Madden was found by an independent investigation commissioned by Queensland Labor to have breached 22 party rules.

An embattled state Labor backbencher currently under investigation for allegedly using taxpayer cash to buy artworks amid other accusations of bullying and harassment is set to keep his seat in caucus and the $25,000 a year spot in a parliamentary committee.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was “very concerned” about the serious issues that had been raised about the conduct of Ipswich West MP Jim Madden, confirming the Clerk of Parliament would be looking into certain allegations.

This includes accusations, aired in The Australian, that he used taxpayer funds to buy his then girlfriend Sarah Grist a $125 butterfly artwork at a special school charity auction in 2018.

Other allegations made against Mr Madden in recent days, as reported in The Australian, was that he coercively controlled Ms Grist and also inappropriately touched electorate staff member David Stone.

Mr Madden had been investigated earlier this year following bullying allegations made by another former employee Alison Young.

Ipswich West MP Jim Madden and his then girlfriend Sarah Grist. Picture: Sarah Grist

The independent investigation was commissioned by Queensland Labor and found Mr Madden breached 22 party rules.

But the party ultimately decided not to expel him, and ordered he receive bullying training.

Ms Palaszczuk refused to be drawn on Mr Madden’s future amid the ongoing investigation, including whether she would stand him down from his spot on the state development and regional industries committee which is a $25,000 a year position on top of his salary.

She also would not say whether he would be allowed into the meeting of Labor’s 52-member caucus next week, signalling he could if the investigation was wrapped up.

“We will see the outcomes of the investigation, hopefully they’ll be completed before next week,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

This would mean a timeline for the Clerk of Parliament of four working days.

The Clerk of Parliament Neil Laurie confirmed he had received a referral from Queensland Labor state secretary Kate Flanders about the allegation Mr Madden used taxpayer funds to purchase artwork for his girlfriend at the time.

“I take all complaints about the use of entitlements seriously and will investigate appropriately,” he said.

Mr Laurie also said any allegations relating to employees were taken seriously and always investigated according to policy, but these matters could not be commented on.

Qld Labor State Secretary Kate Flanders. Photo Steve Pohlner

Ms Flanders said she had spoken to Mr Madden on Monday after the article was published in The Australian.

“I haven’t spoken to him about the specific allegations that were raised in The Australian,” she said.

“We haven’t gone through these issues line by line. And I don’t think that Jim would agree with how he’s being put forward in that article.

“I don’t think that Jim would agree with everything that was said about him in that article.

“I think that he hasn’t commented based on his own judgement and his own legal advice.”

When asked if Mr Madden would have the party’s support to stand at the next election, Ms Flanders said it was a matter for the party preselection committee.

“We’ve got a lot of decisions to make about preselections ahead of the 2024 state election,” she said.

“But also, I think that’s a matter for Mr Madden to consider.

“My personal opinion is that we have an excellent caucus where we expect the highest standards of people.

“And I think that when we preselect candidates for election, we look at everything that has happened over that term and if they’re the right fit to represent that community.”

Ms Flanders said the allegations of coercive control aired in The Australian had not been brought to the party.

“I haven’t heard those allegations directly,” she said.

“I have read them in the newspaper just like all of you.”

Ms Flanders said Mr Madden had earlier denied allegations made against him in an investigation about claims from former employee, Ms Young.

“Certainly in the investigation that we had ongoing, there were more allegations put to Jim and he denied those – and many of those (allegations) were not substantiated,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk, asked why she hadn’t taken action against Mr Madden for breaching the rules 22 times, said that was a matter for the party.

She confirmed she had not spoken to Mr Madden, noting it would be inappropriate to do so amid an active investigation.

Mr Madden has been contacted for comment.