Queensland Election: Rick Williams will release phone conversation

MP Rick Williams has hit back at the party that dumped him yesterday, saying he had been used for his vote and that he had seen the writing on the wall.

Rick Williams talks to the media today after he was dumped by the Labor Party. Picture: Trenton Akers

• All eyes on Premier for election clues
• Williams dumped: Phone call the last straw

FRESHLY minted independent MP Rick Williams says he will release the recording of the conversation that saw him unceremoniously dumped by the Labor Party, just not today.

Speaking in his electorate of Pumicestone today, Mr Williams said he had been “used” by the Labor Government over the past three years.

Rick Williams talks to the media on Saturday after he was dumped by the Labor Party. Picture: Trenton Akers

“I was notified by the Premier that I was disendorsed, of course I have not been officially notified in written form — they haven’t displayed that decency yet,” he said.

“They used my vote for the last 33 months and then they go and do this to me.

“I’m glad to have the monkey off my back in that I have been gagged from speaking about all the allegations that have been levelled against me for the last 33 months.”

Mr Williams also hinted he had seen the writing on the wall for some time when he “hedged his bets” printing off dozens of election corflutes without the Labor Party logo on them.

The Liberal National Party has today attacked Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s over her axing of scandal-prone Williams.

LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson has branded the dumping of Rick Williams has “opportunistic and unprincipled”. File picture

Shadow treasurer Scott Emerson questioned Ms Palaszczuk’s motives and character after backing Mr Williams since coming to power in January 2015.

“It is an opportunistic and unprincipled move,” he said..

“Day in and day out Annastacia Palaszczuk has endorsed Rick Williams … now on the eve of the election, when she doesn’t need his vote anymore, she flicks Rick.

“This decision shows how weak and undisciplined Annastacia Palaszczuk is as a leader.”

Mr Emerson called on the premier to name her election date immediately after spending the past week hosing down fevered speculation about a Sunday announcement.