One Nation MP referred to ethics committee over House antics

A One Nation MP has been referred to the parliamentary ethics committee over the behaviour of one of his guests – a fellow One Nation candidate – at Parliament House.

One Nation MP Stephen Andrew has come under fire for the second time in less than a year for the behaviour of his guests at parliament.

The Member for Mirani has been referred to the parliamentary ethics committee following an incident involving the parliamentary office door of Labor Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper.

Steve Dickson: former One Nation Qld leader will run for Buderim as independent

Brettlyn ‘The Beaver’ Neal contests north Queensland seat of Cook

One Nation unveils education policy ahead of state election

It has been revealed One Nation’s Thuringowa candidate Troy Thompson this week posted to his social media account a photo of his business card being held over Mr Harper’s name on his door.

The incident comes after Mr Andrew’s visitors were caught going through members’ desks in the chamber last October.

While revealing the incident in the House this morning, Speaker Curtis Pitt said it could “at best be considered immature”.

“In any event, it’s not appropriate behaviour on the parliamentary precinct,” he said.

Mr Andrew apologised to the House, saying he wasn’t aware of the issue.

“Unfortunately this morning I’ve been made aware that I was not aware of a visitor that I had in the precinct had taken a photo of the door directly opposite my door,” he said.

Stephen Andrew

Troy Thompson

Mr Andrew insisted he had never gone out of his way to be disrespectful, and he did not endorse the behaviour.

In a statement, Mr Thompson said he was disappointed Mr Andrew had been “forced” to make a statement in the House.

“The Member for Thuringowa has again let slip the worry of losing his seat to One Nation by making a frivolous complaint about a tongue-in-cheek photo posted to Facebook,” he said.

“His behaviour is un-Australian, and I suspect the people of Thuringowa will simply roll their eyes over the waste of taxpayers’ time and money this referral will chew up.”

Mr Thompson said nothing would make him happier than to post a photo in the future with his name on the door, should he win the marginal seat at the October poll.

Mr Pitt said he had referred the matter to the Ethics Committee and suspended Mr Andrew’s privilege to bring guests into Parliament until the committee reported back.

One of Troy Thompson’s posts to Facebook

One of Troy Thompson’s posts to Facebook

Originally published as One Nation MP referred to ethics committee over House antics