The Palaszczuk Government has been grilled over fresh integrity issues this morning after a senior MP failed to declare his law firm received a significant volume of work from Legal Aid.
THE Palaszczuk Government is facing a grilling over fresh integrity issues this morning after a senior MP failed to declare his law firm received a significant volume of work from Legal Aid.
The Courier-Mail this morning revealed Toohey MP Peter Russo’s firm Russo Lawyers has been on the official panel to receive publicly funded legal work representing disadvantaged Queenslanders for at least four years.
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It comes months after The Courier-Mail revealed Deputy Premier Jackie Trad failed to declare purchasing a Woolloongabba investment property.
Mr Russo has denied any wrongdoing.
The new scandal looks set to dominate question time today when parliament resumes for two sitting weeks.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington says Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk should order an independent investigation.
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has faced another question on the Government's decision to hike the annual 4WD permit for Stradbroke Island from $47 to $158.
The Opposition's Tim Nicholls asked why she did not publicly consult before introducing the new "Straddie tax".
Ms Palaszczuk said the extra money raised would go back into the island on projects like improvements to 4WD access and new walking tracks.
"It will enhance the amenities for locals," she said.
– Jessica Marszalek
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has been asked whether she would reverse the "Straddie Tax" after it was revealed 4WDs will face a three-fold fee hike to drive on two of the island's popular beaches.
Ms Palaszczuk said the increase brought the tourist destination in line with other camping areas across the state.
She said the money would be invested back into the island, including making roads safer.
– Domanii Cameron
A Chinese businessman who hosted Yeppoon MP Brittany Lauga and two councillors at his private country China residence is not considered a developer under Queensland's strict donation ban laws, the state's electoral commissioner has found.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen was asked by the LNP to investigate whether or not Yeuxing Group managing president Ding Zuo Yong was a prohibited donor under Labor's developer donation ban laws after it was revealed he provided a night’s accommodation to Ms Lauga, Livingstone Shire Mayor Bill Ludwig and councillor Nigel Hutton earlier this year while the trio was in China as part of an international education delegation.
The Courier-Mail revealed the stay was belatedly declared by Ms Lauga on her register or interest.
She told Parliament at the time she declared it as soon as she realised the oversight.
The Yuexing Group is behind the development of a major tourist resort planned for Zilzie Bay in Central Queensland.
But the ECQ found as no development application had been lodged, the company was not considered a developer under the Act.
Mr Vidgen also found company McNab was not a developer under the Act after being asked to investigate a donation the company made to the LNP under an ACN.
That matter was referred to the ECQ by Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath in August.
“Currently Yeuxing Group is not classified as a prohibited donor under the State’s electoral laws as the company has made no property development applications in Queensland to date," Mr Vidgen said.
“At the time of the donation, McNab Building Services Pty Ltd did not meet the definition of a prohibited donor under Queensland electoral laws given the lack of regular development applications.”
– Sarah Vogler
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has side-stepped a question on whether she will ensure voluntary-assisted dying laws are treated with the same urgency as the Government's anti-protest laws.
Independent MP Sandy Bolton quizzed Ms Palaszczuk on whether any laws recommended by parliament's end of life inquiry to legalise euthanasia would be acted on urgently after the Government last week announced it would fast-track its protester crackdown.
Ms Palaszczuk, however, would not be drawn on the issue.
"I am not going to preempt the findings of that inquiry," she said.
– Sarah Vogler
THE Opposition has asked Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk why Ian Stewart was appointed to head Queensland's bushfire recovery, only to immediately take leave for an overseas holiday.
Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Stewart had told her he and his wife had a "precommitted event".
She said a deputy had been appointed to fill in while the former police commissioner was away.
"I have every confidence in the deputy to be able to carry out that role in his absence," she said.
She was Mr Stewart was very well regarded and the job could take up to six months.
– Jessica Marszalek
DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad has assured the House her controversial Woolloongabba investment property has sold for the same price it was purchased.
"My commitment to sell the house at exactly the same price has happened," she said.
"The person in question has asked for a longer settlement period for a whole range of personal circumstances and that person does not deserve to be torn apart by those opposite."
The home was purchased for $695,500.
– Domanii Cameron
DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad has assured the House her controversial Woolloongabba investment property has sold for the same price it was purchased.
"My commitment to sell the house at exactly the same price has happened," she said.
"The person in question has asked for a longer settlement period for a whole range of personal circumstances and that person does not deserve to be torn apart by those opposite."
The home was purchased for $695,500.
– Domanii Cameron
THE Premier has defended the appointment of a Labor MP's former business partner as Legal Services Commissioner following a question from the Opposition.
Annastacia Palaszczuk said Megan Mahon, who was appointed to the job earlier this month, was eminently qualified for the role.
Ms Mahon is Toohey MP Peter Russo's former business partner.
Ms Palaszczuk said the appointment was made by an independent body and Ms Mahon, a previous president of the Queensland Law Society, was an accomplished lawyer.
– Jessica Marszalek
ATTORNEY-General Yvette D'Ath says she doesn't recall being asked any questions about Legal Aid from Toohey MP Peter Russo.
LNP Attorney-General spokesman David Janetzki has continued the Opposition's grilling during question time over the new integrity saga, asking whether Mr Russo had raised issues relating to Legal Aid Queensland with Ms D'Ath.
"I don't recall ever being asked questions directly by the Member for Toohey in relation to Legal Aid," Ms D'Ath told the House.
"I'm happy to check our records in relation to any correspondence."
– Domanii Cameron
TOOHEY MP Peter Russo has told the House he has done nothing wrong, and has the backing of the Clerk of Parliament.
He said he did not oversee the state funding for Legal Aid Queensland, nor any decision it made as it was an independent statutory authority.
“I have met all the requirements under standing orders regarding my register of pecuniary interests,” he said.
Mr Russo said he had sought advice from the Clark of Parliament yesterday.
“In this letter the Clerk states: I do not see how you are conflicted by being the Chair of the parliamentary Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee,” he said.
“… There may be individual items of legislation that comes before the committee that raises issues of conflict.
“When this occurs you should make the ad hoc declarations as required under standing order 261.
“261 – conflict of interest in committee proceedings – a member of a committee shall disclose to the committee any conflict of interest the member may have in relation to a matter before the committee.
“I have reviewed your register of interest and it appears that you have made fulsome declarations about your practice and associated companies and the source of your income from the practice and companies.”
Mr Russo said he had sought independent legal advice about the application of sections of the Parliament of Queensland Act, as suggested by the Clerk.
He said he was awaiting written advice but had verbal advice he had not breached sections 70 and 71.
– Jessica Marszalek
Health Minister Steven Miles has apologised to businesses that have suffered delays because of the new Queensland Health payment system.
A Queensland Government-owned utility corporation has underpaid hundreds of its senior staff for more than a decade in a bungle that could have ripped off up to a quarter of its workforce.