Queensland election 2017: Matt Canavan accused of smear campaign

FEDERAL minister Matt Canavan is Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s prime suspect in an alleged smear campaign that exposed a conflict of interest involving her partner and the $1 billion Adani loan.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has demanded Adani stump up the cash and build its own rail line. Picture: AAP/Darren England

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk suspects Matt Canavan is behind the so-called “smear campaign” that exposed a conflict of interest involving her partner and forced her to scuttle the $1 billion Adani loan.

However, Ms Palaszczuk was yesterday unable to show any evidence of the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia’s involvement, and she also changed her tune on why she vetoed Adani’s application for a Federal Government loan on Friday.

The Premier now says she switched her stance because she doesn’t think taxpayer funds should be used to build the rail line linking the Galilee Basin with Abbot Point.

Her partner Shaun Drabsch worked on the loan proposal.

Ms Palaszczuk accused Senator Canavan of being involved in a smear campaign against her, despite her being the only person to raise her partner’s conflict as an issue.

“Matt Canavan, he’s been out there, still going on. Of course he’s allowed to respond, but it just makes me think, is he part of it all?” she said.

But Senator Canavan denied being involved in any smear.

“The only person spreading smears is the Premier. I wasn’t even aware her partner was working on this project,” he said.

“It’s a shame because now, apparently, major policy decisions are being made, in part, based on gossip and innuendo.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she was unaware of Labor Party research showing the proposed loan was unpopular, and said this did not influence her announcement on Friday.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan

Instead, she demanded Adani stump up the cash and build the rail line and mine itself.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad immediately capitalised on Ms Palaszczuk’s backflip in her South Brisbane electorate, where the Adani project is considered toxic, telling voters in an email that she would ensure the veto went ahead.

“A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will play no role in facilitating Malcolm Turnbull’s billion-dollar handout to Adani,” Ms Trad’s email says.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the Premier’s decision was confusing and based on “muddle-headed thinking”.

“I think everyone is completely confused about where the Premier is on Adani,” he said.

The veto also created a further conflict as it clears the way for Aurizon – a company the State Government owns shares in – to build the rail line.

Ms Palaszczuk said she could not see a conflict in vetoing a loan application for Adani to build the rail line, when a company the State Government owns shares in has a rival application.

Mirani MP Jim Pearce said it was vital that the Adani mine go ahead, but he did not criticise the decision to veto the loan.

“I don’t know a lot personally about that issue. Over the weekend, nine out of 10 people that approached me said, ‘Jimmy, make sure this mine goes ahead’,” he said.

“I say to the company, put your bloody money on the table guys and let’s get on with it, because we’re all waiting to have jobs.”

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Matt Canavan accused of smear campaign