Deb Frecklington: Coast Labor MP slams LNP leader’s attack on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
A fuming Gold Coast Labor MP says Opposition leader Deb Frecklington pointing out her kids keep her grounded in contrast to the childless Premier is “disgraceful”.
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A GOLD Coast MP says a State Opposition leader’s references to having kids keeping her grounded in comparison to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – who does not – are “disgraceful”.
Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington said in yesterday’s Sunday Mail she had “no choice but to remain grounded because of (husband) Jason and the girls” in reference to daughters Isabella, 21, Lucy, 19, and Elke, 17.
Ms Frecklington, who felt she and Ms Palaszczuk were “such different people”, added: “I can have a tough day but then I’ll get a call from one of my kids and you’ve got to deal with whatever’s going on in their lives. She, on the other hand, has had a complete makeover.”
Furious Labor Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon in a Facebook tirade yesterday, said Ms Frecklington was well aware Ms Palaszczuk had struggled with fertility.
“This is just gutter,” Ms Scanlon’s post reads. “The LNP leader’s personal attacks about the Premier who has openly spoken about a miscarriage, four years of IVF and her endometriosis are so low.
“Attacking her for not being a mum is simply disgraceful.”
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Ms Scanlon goes on to criticise Ms Frecklington for judging the Premier’s expensive outfits and having “a complete makeover”.
“Instead of discussing new ideas or announcing bold new policy, Deb Frecklington has decided to judge another woman for the clothes she wears, it’s pathetic,” she said.
“And this woman wants to lead our state? The community expects and deserves representatives who show genuine leadership and get things done, not nasty, negative, personal attacks.”
Ms Frecklington labelled the Premier “princess Palaszczuk” in her spray.
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“You can’t be swanning around at the Logies and boasting about your overseas trips. How out of touch is that with everyday Queenslanders?” Ms Frecklington said.
Ms Frecklington yesterday told the Bulletin refused to back down from her comments, stating she was just explaining her “real world experience”.
“I was simply pointing out that my kids keep me grounded,” Ms Frecklington said.
“I won’t stand by and allow the Labor Party to try and twist the love I have for my kids for some warped political gain.”
But Deputy Premier Jackie Trad tweeted: “The last time I saw this level of meanness was actually in the movie Mean Girls.”
Federal Labor Leader Anthony Albanese wrote online the comments were “appalling, pathetic and unbecoming” of someone who wanted to lead the state.
But LNP frontbencher Jarrod Bleijie backed Ms Frecklington, insisting he had long said that Ms Palaszczuk was a “princess Premier”.
“She prefers the red carpet of Hollywood, the glitz, the glamour, the celebrities, the publicity stunts but has no idea of what’s actually happening in her government or state,” he tweeted.
The spat comes two months after Ms Frecklington labelled Ms Scanlon as “incompetent” during a press conference in October.
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