Broadwater MP Verity Barton had a third licence suspension — weeks before the state election was called

IT has been revealed Broadwater MP Verity Barton lost her licence three times in three years — with the most recent one month before the election.

Broadwater MP Verity Barton at the Labrador State School Polling Booth. Pic Tim Marsden

IT HAS been revealed that Broadwater MP Verity Barton lost her licence three times in three years — with the most ­recent suspension enforced one month before January’s state election.

New Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller yesterday flagged an investigation into the case.

Ms Barton was forced to ­release a statement during the election campaign, admitting to driving unlicensed in 2012 and 2013 after an “oversight” where she didn’t pay road tolls and fines.

However, there was no mention of a third, 11-day suspension that took force on December 6, 2014 — one month before former Premier Campbell Newman called the election.

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Ms Barton yesterday said she did not know about the December suspension until police contacted her in January — however, the suspension was lifted on December 16, indicating that somebody paid the outstanding fine.

Verity Barton lost her licence three times in three years — with the most ­recent suspension enforced one month before January’s state election.

“I was unaware of a third suspension when the media release was issued and when I spoke to the media,” she said in an email.

“I later became aware after I met with Queensland Police.”

During the December suspension period, Ms Barton appeared at the Runaway Bay RSL Christmas Party, Biggera Waters State School graduation and delivered baked goods to the Runaway Bay Police Station.

She said she could not remember exactly how she got to those events. “My recollection is that I was driven to or caught a taxi to those events,” she said.

The Police Minister said that the issue warranted a thorough investigation.

“This is a matter for the Queensland Police Service and will be investigated thoroughly and independently of government,” Ms Miller said.

Police media were unable to provide an update on the investigation last night.

The MP also did not mention the most recent suspension in numerous media interviews during the campaign — including one for the Gold Coast Bulletin where she was asked if she had any other skeletons in her closet.

Journalist Emily Macdonald asked whether there was anything else Ms Barton thought voters should know about — “any other things like this, at all?”.

Ms Barton replied: “I’m laying my soul to you. I made a mistake, and it is something that I’m just really disappointed about and wholeheartedly apologise for.”

Asked specifically about the timing of the fines and their payment, Ms Barton said “one was paid in early 2013 if memory serves and I think the other one was paid mid-to-late 2013”. She said she had driven while “unknowingly”suspended.

Ms Barton was re-elected with 47 per cent of the primary vote on January 31.