Premier pins blame for gag laws on watchdog
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has pinned the blame for controversial media blackout laws on the state’s corruption watchdog, while taking “full responsibility”.
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Annastacia Palaszczuk has pinned controversial laws that would have gagged journalists on the state’s corruption watchdog, while simultaneously taking full responsibility following days of backlash.
The Premier today insisted the dumped laws had been a recommendation from the Crime and Corruption Commission, but she accepted there were legitimate concerns.
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It comes as a senior Labor source claims the watchdog doesn’t need any more power, citing its ability to compel witnesses.
The laws were specifically drawn up to target the publication of corruption allegations by newspapers, radio, television, online news media and on social media during state and local government election periods.
Ms Palaszczuk said the CCC was consulted on the draft Bill.
“It (recommendation) was not from the Government, it came from the CCC,” she said.
“Obviously the Government now has no intention of pursuing that and we will not be pursuing that if we are successful at the next election as well.
“It’s off the table completely.”
The Courier-Mail today revealed Ms Palaszczuk had personally pushed for the laws despite having earlier warned they could allow corruption to flourish by striking down whistleblowers.
Following a barrage of widespread criticism, the Government scrapped the surprise laws just 20 hours after they were introduced, with Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath claiming they needed to be withdrawn because of the “limited time for the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee to consider the law changes the CCC seeks”.
Ms Palaszczuk said she took “full responsibility for it”.
“Usually we are asked by the media when are we implementing the CCC recommendations,” she said.
“That is exactly what we were doing this time.
“Obviously there were concerns and I accept there were legitimate concerns and as far as I’m concerned that’s the end of the issue.”
She said she was not concerned some members of her Cabinet had not understood the laws specifically targeted journalists before they were introduced.
A senior Labor source said the watchdog already wielded enormous power under the governing Act.
“I don’t think people realise just how much power they have under their Act,” they said.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington slammed the Premier’s comments, claiming the watchdog never recommended any laws that would have gagged journalists.
“The fact that Annastacia Palaszczuk ticked off on these media gag laws raises questions about her judgment and what she is trying to hide,” she said.