LNP Leader Deb Frecklington rejects reports party referred her to electoral watchdog over fundraising concerns
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on Deb Frecklington to address reports related to property developers attending an LNP fundraiser event after the Opposition leader denied the allegations. It comes as Queensland again recorded no new COVID-19 cases.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on the Opposition leader Deb Frecklington to address reports related to property developers attending an LNP fundraiser event.
It follows reports the LNP referred Ms Frecklington to the Electoral Commission of Queensland, over concerns about a series of fundraising events, which could have violated laws intended to stunt political influence of property developers.
SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN OUR ELECTION BLOG BELOW
"These are very serious issues," the Premier said. "These are matters the leader of the opposition needs to explain.
"There is a ban on property developer donations going to political parties.
"It is a very serious offence for people to be engaging with property developers and getting donations from them when it is against the law to do so.
"There needs to be a full explanation as to who she was meeting with and why she was meeting with them."
The Premier was asked about an event hosted on Saturday night by former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd where thousands of dollars was donated to her party.
Ms Palaszczuk confirmed she was at this function at a private residence.
"There were no property developers present," she said.
The ABC said over at least five events during July and August, a number of attendees made donations totalling “almost $150,000”.
While no developers appear to have made donations, and they have denied paying to be there, their presence has caused “considerable concern” inside LNP headquarters.
Ms Frecklington said on Tuesday she has not attended any fundraisers with developers since directed not to by her party in August.
Responding to questions over the issue today, the LNP leader said her team had taken notice of a letter from party secretary Michael O'Dwyer in August warning about fundraising events.
"To ensure full compliance with the legislation and to avoid any perception that the event is a fundraiser attended by prohibited donors, please ensure that prohibited donors are NOT invited to private events and you avoid any such events where it is known that prohibited donors will be in attendance," the letter said.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Ms Frecklington said her team was following that advice.
"We've seen that and I have seen that and I will completely comply with that," she said.
However, she said she was "not sure" whether any developers would be at today's Brisbane fundraiser with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
"I don't think so but I'm not sure because I haven't seen the invite list," she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Frecklington directed journalists to the ECQ website, which states that: "A prohibited donor is banned from making any contributions at a political fundraiser. These include entry fees, raffle tickets or purchases of merchandise."
"A prohibited donor is permitted to attend a political fundraising event for free, however, they cannot pay for food or beverages or any other cost related to the event."
The October 31 election, in which Ms Frecklington is hoping to topple incumbent Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, will be the first since laws were introduced to curb the risk of corruption around government decisions on development projects.
Political parties who makes or accepts donations from property developers faces up to two years in prison, or a $52,220 fine. Any attempt to evade the ban faces ten years behind bars, or a $195,825 fine.
Ms Frecklington is expected to front the media later today.
Live Updates
$1b in rail work flagged for Maryborough
Edward.Randell
Annastacia Palaszczuk has unveiled a $1 billion pipeline of train manufacturing work for Maryborough, as she sent the day campaigning in the marginal Labor electorate.
The commitment includes $600 million to build 20 new Queensland trains, as well as $1 million to develop a business case to build replacement carriages for long haul services.
But $300 million of the announcement is existing funding to continue maintaining and refurbishing the current Queensland Rail fleet.
Labor’s Bruce Saunders held the electorate at the 2017 election as he stared down a challenge from One Nation, with the minor party securing 47.5 per cent of the vote on a two party preferred basis.
Ms Palaszczuk denied she had to spend the money to keep the seat in Labor’s corner.
“This is about making things in Queensland,” the Premier said.
“This is about backing the regions, this is about backing jobs and this is about backing our people.
“This is exactly what regional Queensland needs as we come out of the pandemic.
“We are going to be making trains here in Queensland – they are not going to be made overseas.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the commitment would support 690 new jobs, securing the region as a “major manufacturing hub”.
“This long-term future pipeline of work means there will be rewarding long-term paths for our young people in trades, like boilmaking, fitter machining and as electricians,” she said.
Train manufacturers will be invited to bid in the procurement process to build the trains in Maryborough, with the new trains needed for when Cross River Rail opens in 2025.
Protesters target Morrison's LNP event
Edward.Randell
Union and pre-refugee protestors crashed a Liberal-National Party luncheon in Brisbane hosted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state leader Deb Frecklington.
This comes after protestor mobbed the Prime Minister on Monday, throwing red paint on his car.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today revealed her government will invest $15 million to the redevelopment of Ballymore Stadium, transforming the iconic rugby venue into a new national headquarters for women’s Rugby and the Wallaroos.
“The rebirth of Rugby’s famous Ballymore precinct is an important part of Queensland’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan,” the Premier said.
“This project is ready to go now and that means more than 150 new jobs are being fast-tracked.
“In partnership with Queensland Rugby Union and the Federal Government, this new National Rugby Training Centre (NRTC) will be the new home for women’s Rugby in Australia.
“As well as the new home base for national Wallaroos women’s team, Ballymore will offer a new training base for the Queensland Reds men’s and women’s teams and the Australian Rugby Union Academy."
Miles backs Premier's decision on Trad
Edward.Randell
Deputy Premier Steven Miles says he supports the Premier who’s ruled out his predecessor returning to Cabinet.
Mr Miles said Ms Trad had ruled herself out from a potential return to the frontbench when she posted to Facebook that she wasn’t “seeking” a Cabinet position.
Asked whether the Premier had told Ms Trad prior to yesterday’s press conference, Mr Miles said he wasn’t sure.
Read the full story here
Morrison: Political parties need to comply with the law
Edward.Randell
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has addressed a number of issues including China, the Federal Budget and the NSW Premier's revelations of a relationship with a disgraced MP.
All he's said so far about the state election in Queensland is parties should "comply with the law" in regards to party donations.
This is, of course, topical given reports into the state's Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington allegedly accepting donations from property developers.
Deputy Premier Miles has his turn bashing Opposition
Edward.Randell
Deputy Premier Steven Miles is the latest Labor member to call on the Opposition to fully disclose who was in attendance at the party fundraiser which allegedly accepted donations from property developers.
"It is much much worse than murky," he said, demanding the Liberal-National Party release the full details from the event.
Where's Albo?
Edward.Randell
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she doesn't need anyone to hold her hand when she was asked if her party's federal leader Anthony Albanese would be joining her on the campaign trail.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been in the Sunshine State since Sunday throwing his weight behind Liberal colleague Deb Frecklington in her bid to win the state election.
'Dysfunctional Deb': Treasurer blasts Opposition
Edward.Randell
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has slammed Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington over the reports her own party referred her to the state election watchdog.
"Deb has very serious questions to answer," he told reporters.
"Deb Frecklington is a reckless leader.
"She is is leading dysfunctional party, and it is exactly what Queensland doesn't need.
"Deb Frecklington needs to answer questions about her party's donations and why her party is leaking against her."
'No comment': ECQ tight-lipped on LNP fundraiser claims
Edward.Randell
An ECQ spokesperson has declined to comment on questions relating to whether it was examining any matters related to LNP fundraisers.
"The ECQ considered matters regarding compliance with the prohibited donor laws to be serious, and actively monitors the activities of all electoral participants and disclosed donations to identify potential non-compliance," a spokesperson said.
"The ECQ takes the position that any examination or investigation which may or may not be underway is confidential.
"This provides the opportunity for perceived issues to be escalated to relevant agencies if required, or resolved, without external commentary that may with or without intent, prejudice an outcome."
Queensland reports another day of zero new coronavirus cases
Edward.Randell
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed Queensland has reported another day of zero new coronavirus cases.
The active cases has also halved, falling to just two on Tuesday.
Tuesday, 13 October – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
• 0 new confirmed cases • 2 active cases • 1,161 total confirmed cases • 1,163,795 tests conducted
