Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey’s awkward question in State Parliament

CURRUMBIN MP Jann Stuckey has been awarded the ‘gold medal’ for most awkward question in State Parliament today. And it had her political rivals in stitches.

CURRUMBIN MP Jann Stuckey in an embarrassing moment which rocked the Queensland Parliament has been awarded a gold medal for worst timed question.

Ms Stuckey was about to get to her feet today when the Speaker, Curtis Pitt, welcomed students from Glen Innes Public School, from the northern tablelands in New England, NSW.

“It is wonderful that you have seen the light and come to Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

Ms Stuckey then referred Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to a question she had asked in Estimates hearings about “NSW students crowding out Queensland kids” by border hopping for schools.

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Jann Stuckey leaving State Parliament. (AAP image, John Gass)

Mr Pitt admitted “I appreciate the irony” as he pleaded with Labor MPs to stop interjecting. When the laughter eased, he asked Ms Stuckey to repeat her question.

Ms Stuckey told the Parliament: “I also welcome my very close schools in New South Wales to the chamber today.

“During estimates I asked the Minister for Education about New South Wales students attending Queensland state schools, crowding out Queensland kids and forcing them to travel further away from home.

“The Minister said that under the Australian Constitution we are prohibited from denying services just because of an imaginary line on a map.”

Before Ms Stuckey could finish her question, Tourism Minister Kate Jones was again warned about interjecting.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones interjected as Ms Stuckey spoke. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

“My question is: why is the Palaszczuk Government denying services to Queensland students, who should be their priority,” Ms Stuckey said.

The Premier paused several times during her response.

“Awkward — very awkward and embarrassing, when we have visiting students from New South Wales,” she said.

“Next those opposite will be saying, ‘Don’t let the tourists cross the border to come here from New South Wales.’

“Our priority is making sure that services are delivered to Queenslanders, but I am not going to deny people from New South Wales an education — just like I am sure that some New South Wales northern schools offer some Queensland children an education.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk covers her eyes during Question Time at Parliament House. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

Ms Palaszczuk said the Government had an agreement with the NSW government about “a mutual exchange between the borders”.

“Who knows? Next they will be wanting to build a wall — the great wall of New South Wales and Queensland,” she said.

“Those opposite are happy to take New South Wales rubbish, not the children. They need all the help they can get on strategy.

“The member for Currumbin gets the gold medal today — the gold medal of questions today.”