ALP’s Don Brown says he was too busy as party whip for PCCC

Labor Party whip Capalaba MP Don Brown says he was not told to avoid a Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee meeting which planned to discuss Jackie Trad.

Labor Party whip Capalaba MP Don Brown has taken to the floor of parliament this morning to justify his absence from a Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee meeting yesterday.

The meeting was to discuss whether to make public details of the costs the Crime and Corruption Commission incurred fighting to release a secret report into former deputy premier Jackie Trad.

Mr Brown told parliament on Friday he couldn’t attend the 8.30am committee meeting yesterday morning as he was fulfilling his duties as chief party whip and said there was no directive from above.

Capalaba MP Don Brown told parliament that he was too busy to attend a PCCC meeting but would attend a rescheduled meeting today.

“The chair of the PCCC knew that we could not attend and we will all be attending the rescheduled meeting today.”

Other Labor MPs who failed to show included Jonty Bush, Jennifer Howard and Jess Pugh.

“I will be attending the rescheduled meeting later today though,” Mr Brown said.

Chair of the PCCC Jon Krause said there was a private meeting due to occur at the conclusion of the public meeting at 8.30am that would deal with various other matters.

“Due to the non-attendance, no business could be undertaken,” Mr Krause said.

Mr Brown’s statement prompted outrage from Opposition MP Mark Robinson, who is also a member of the PCCC and attended the meeting.

“It was a regular meeting which is always on Tuesday so it fits all schedules,” Mr Robinson said.

Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson.

“General busyness is never an excuse for not doing our jobs — especially on the corruption watchdog.

“This is a weak excuse and I’ve never heard an MP before say they were too busy to do their job.

“The committee members get paid extra for it and the public expects us to turn up.”

Former Labor Speaker John Mickel weighed into the debate and said he found it difficult to justify not showing up for the meeting.

“This is public money,” he told talk back radio. “As I understand it, people are seeking the release of the amount of money, if there’s a reason for that, then go into the committee system and advance that cause.

“As I see it, the amount is going to come out sooner or later, it is public money.

“I cannot see a reason why a committee member would not show up to a committee, sorry, don’t understand it.”