Jason Costigan claims Campbell Newman forced him to get drug tested and LNP hired ‘sex pest’
Queensland MP Jason Costigan has made shocking allegations against the LNP, claiming Campbell Newman forced him to get drug tested and the party hired a known sex pest to run Deb Frecklington’s social media accounts.
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A Queensland MP has made shocking allegations against the party that kicked him out, alleging former Premier Campbell Newman had him “frogmarched” to get drug tested.
On the last sitting day of this parliament, Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan used parliamentary privilege to level the allegation, as well as a claim that the party had previously hired a “known sex pest” to run the social media accounts of Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.
The Opposition called him out for making false claims and there is no substance to the allegation.
Mr Costigan said that the demand for the drug test happened in a room in Parliament during the Newman Government years.
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“I was summoned to a meeting in A31 and in that room, we had the Premier Campbell Newman, the Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, and the Chief of Staff to the Premier Ben Myers,” he said.
“It was made very clearly that they wanted me to undergo a drug test against my wishes.
“Now, as far as I was concerned at the time, there was no rhyme or reason for that.
“I’ve never, ever, ever had a cigarette in my life let alone anything else.”
He said the trio “refused to believe me and I was frogmarched up the street by the Member for Mermaid Beach to go and undergo this test against my will”.
“I walked up Albert Street this week to relive, to bury some of those demons, what happened (sic).
“I knew what the result would be – negative.”
He said the results were sent to former LNP MP Dr Bruce Flegg for interpretation.
“I was never concerned about the outcome or the results,” he said.
“I just had to cop it sweet, didn’t I because I was under no illusions, over here at A31, that if I didn’t do what they wanted me to do, with all that intimidation, I would have to walk the plank.
“I am okay, I might be a bit tired, but I’m okay.
“This stuff needs to be off my chest before we all pack up here tonight.”
He accused the LNP of trying to “bury him”.
Mr Newman told The Courier-Mail: “I’d be delighted to reflect on the truth of what happened, given the bizarre behaviour of the Member for Whitsunday, but I’m mindful of his privacy and am unable to comment any further.”
Mr Costigan also accused his former party of hiring a “known sex pest” to run the social media accounts of Ms Frecklington before later sacking him due to “pressure”.
Mr Costigan did not give a name or any evidence or the claim.
He said he would be writing to “the authorities” on the matters he had raised.
LNP colleagues, including Deputy Leader Tim Mander and frontbencher Jarrod Bleijie, called from opposition benches to accuse Mr Costigan of levelling false allegations.