Queensland election 2017: Dumped MP Rick Williams releases explosive ‘secret recording’

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has come out swinging against Rick Williams’ release of audio of a conversation she had with him months ago, saying the move said everything about the dumped former Labor MP.

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has come out swinging against Rick Williams over his decision to release audio of a conversation she had with him some months ago, saying the move said everything about the dumped former Labor MP.

“I think it speaks for itself doesn’t it. This is the type of man who tapes conversations with everybody it appears,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“He was told that he had to have a high standard and he was told not to pick anymore fights and that’s exactly what he went and did.”

She “absolutely” denied that she had kept him in the fold because Labor needed his vote on the floor of the hung parliament.

Dumped former Labor MP Williams earlier uploaded audio of an undated private conversation he claims to have had with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk during which she tells him he is doing a good job.

Mr Williams has not released the tapes in full as he says it “Would not be in the public interest” but he has cut excerpts where Ms Palaszczuk is complimentary.

It comes a week after he was dumped by Labor following a complaint from a constituent.

He is now running as an independent in Pumicestone.

“The feedback I am getting, can I be honest with you, is that you are doing a great job,” Ms Palaszczuk can be heard on the tape.

Member for Pumicestone Rick Williams is running as an independent after being disendorsed by Labor. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

“You know how I told you to get out and get amongst the community. Well the feedback I am getting is that you are doing just that.

“But you are doing a good job, I am hearing positive reports.”

At one point Ms Palaszczuk can be heard to say “I will talk to her’ but it is unclear who she is referring to with the rest of the conversation missing.

“In a blurb with the tape, Mr Williams wrote: “what more can I say, used my vote, both Labor and the LNP manufactures the FAKE NEWS against me.

“I have been subjected to all types of disgraceful allegations for 33 months. Police have investigated everyone of them, as convincing as they were there was not truth in them.

“That’s why I am still here. I will contest this election as your independent. Someone has to keep the major parties honest, they won’t do it on their own. I have achieved a lot in Pumicestone. You can see that. Because I work for the people not the PARTIES.

“Thank you for your support.”

Opposition leader Tim Nicholls has now weighed in, saying the Premier discarded Williams “like a dirty hand cloth”.

He said it was a testament to how the Government operated.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk has sidled up to Rick Williams when she needed his vote in Parliament and as soon as she didn’t need him she discarded him like a dirty hand cloth”.

“They’re not a government, they’re a shambles”.

Mr Nicholls was speaking at Faust Dam near Proserpine, where he was promoting his #1.3 billion water infrastructure policy, but is expected to return to Brisbane later today.

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Dumped MP Rick Williams releases explosive ‘secret recording’