Labor poll backlash after Toland arrest with spotlight on secret union funding

THE perjury charges against Gold Coast ALP identity Penny Toland will spill across to the State election causing a backlash for Labor on the eve of its official campaign launch on the Glitter Strip.

Gold Coast Labor identity Penny Toland has been charged with perjury.

A PERJURY charge against Gold Coast ALP identity Penny Toland will spill across to the State poll, threatening to cause a backlash for Labor on the eve of its official campaign launch on the Glitter Strip.

Senior Coast LNP MP Ray Stevens yesterday fired off the first shot, saying the arrest of Ms Toland put the spotlight on the “secret dealings” between unions and the ALP.

Senior Coast Labor members admitted their disappointment at the development as Premier Annastacia Palasczuk prepares her speech for tomorrow’s campaign launch at the convention centre at Broadbeach.

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Penny Toland next to Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate during the mayoral campaign. Picture by Scott Fletcher

Labor is using the launch to stage a rebirth on the Coast and hopes to pick up the two marginal seats of Bonney and Gaven to retain majority government after the November 25 poll.

Mr Stevens told the Gold Coast Bulletin: “It highlights the murky association between the unions with funding of the Labor Party and the honesty and integrity of the Labor Party.”

The Mermaid Beach MP predicted the charges against Ms Toland, despite relating to a council campaign, would turn the focus on Labor’s funding in the final week of the State poll.

He said the Toland case highlighted that there was interaction between Labor candidates and unions which was kept secret.

“It highlights the lack of integrity in this current Labor Government,” Mr Stevens said.

Mermaid Beach LNP MP Ray Stevens targeted Ms Toland in Parliament. Photo: Regi Varghese

Veteran Coast Labor figure and former Burleigh MP Christine Smith said it was a “disappointing situation’’ for both Ms Toland and the party on the Coast.

Ms Smith described the situation as a tragedy that had felled the one-time face of the party on the Coast.

“It is disappointing for her because it will have a personal impact but also for the local members of the party who have always tried to do the right thing. I think they will be very upset,” she said.

“I really feel for her like I would with anyone, but just because she is a Labor Party member doesn’t make her any more special than anyone else.”

Senior LNP figures late yesterday were reluctant to comment on the record because the case was before the courts.

But LNP sources said the case would put a focus on any Labor dealings with One Nation candidates after the ALP ruled out preference deals with Pauline Hanson’s party.

The LNP is furious that Labor in government has used the CCC inquiry to draft legislation to stop developer donations but maintained union contributions.

Mr Stevens, in a speech in State Parliament in May this year, provided details of Ms Toland’s disclosure returns.

“When this Labor Government comes in here and says this inquiry is all about transparency and accountability, that does not apply to the unions and Labor candidates,” he said.

“What we have is a false inquiry. They called the LNP member mayor of the Gold Coast City Council, Tom Tate, but why was Penny Toland not called to the inquiry?”

Mr Stevens accused the Government of conducting a “witch-hunt into transparency on the Gold Coast” yet its own members were not being called.

He warned that new legislation would see the unions exempt from donation bans in future changes to reporting standards.

“I see this Bill as a precursor for more Labor Party trickery in relation to donations to political parties, making sure those on the other side of the House stay in their union-backed seats,” he said.