Pressure ramps up on Opposition Leader David Crisafulli over $200k ‘hush money’ claim

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has declined to be drawn in over persistent attacks from the state government about his involvement in a failed training company.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli is facing pressure over questions on a hush money payment claim. Picture: Lachie Millard

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has declined to be drawn on persistent government attacks about his involvement in a failed training company and whether a $200,000 payment was “hush money”.

Labor MPs, led by Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, have used parliament this week to demand answers from the state’s alternative premier about his conduct while a director of SET Solutions for four months from December 2015.

The company collapsed in June 2016 owing creditors $3m.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Crisafulli, who has repeatedly said he met his obligations as a director.

He has not detailed why he paid a $200,000 settlement to liquidators in three payments between 2020 and 2021.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick has led calls for Mr Crisafulli to face questions over the alleged payment. Picture: John Gass

Mr Dick used parliamentary privilege to again argue the payment was “hush money” and called on Mr Crisafulli to face journalists.

“By not taking questions from the Queensland Parliamentary Media Gallery, it is an insult to the people of Queensland,” Mr Dick said.

The opposition leader held several media conferences since the revelations were aired on Friday, but he has not held one during the three parliamentary sitting days this week as the government attacked.

Premier Steven Miles held one press conference on Wednesday when he was flanked by under-fire Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd, who was grilled about her involvement in the departure of Parole Board president Michael Byrne.

Mr Crisafulli has questioned the timing of the government’s attacks, saying they were made out of “desperation” on the eve of the October 26 state election.

“There were zero findings against me, those opposite know this and they know that the information they are referring to has been public for several years,” he said in parliament this week.

“It is strange that they would wait until the final six sitting days to try and resuscitate claims in the dying days of a term.”