Queensland election 2017: Labor called out over cash for access
SHE was a vocal opponent of the Newman government, now this former judge has called out the Palaszczuk Government over its cash-for-access event.
QLD Election
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- Sorry Premier, you smeared yourself
- Who’s that bloke next to Pauline?
- Greens’ final sprint to unseat Deputy Premier
- LNP splashes cash for farmers
FORMER president of the Queensland Court of Appeals Margaret McMurdo has taken aim at the Palaszczuk Government’s cash-for-access events.
In her speech at the annual Tony Fitzgerald Lecture on Monday night, Ms McMurdo criticised the Government for backflipping on a pledge to stop the controversial meetings.
“Recent polls, studies and surveys show that electors’ trust in their politicians is at an historic low,” she told the audience.
“Perhaps, like me, they have been watching Netflix’s fictional House of Cards.
“More likely, they are concerned about real issues such as the Palaszczuk Government, despite its pledge before the last election to follow the Bligh government’s positive initiative, continuing to allow cash for access.”
The Courier-Mail revealed last month that Queensland Labor had pocketed $300,000 from the mass cash-for-access event, which allowed well-heeled ticket buyers to fork out $5500 to attend meetings with State Government ministers.
Ms McMurdo said wealthy Queenslanders who were after “government largesse” had paid substantial amounts of money to attend functions with powerful politicians.
“As disgraced former minister (Gordon) Nuttall said at his trial for receiving secret commissions in office, ‘Nothing is for nothing’,” she said.
Ms McMurdo was an arch nemesis of former LNP premier Campbell Newman, and upon her retirement earlier this year said her role in opposing the Newman government’s “interference” in the judiciary was the pinnacle of her career.
How Monday’s day 9 campaigning unfolded...
LNP ON TOP IN BUDERIM
BARELY minutes after the last horses finished running the Melbourne Cup, Queensland politicians turned their attention to another race that could prove critical to their chances at the upcoming November 25 poll.
The official draw for placement on ballot papers took place at 2.30pm, with the results starting to trickle through.
One Nation Leader Steve Dickson has drawn third spot on the ballot paper in his electorate of Buderim with his LNP rival Brent Mickelberg drawing the coveted first spot.
In South Brisbane, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has drawn second spot with her Greens rival Amy MacMahon fourth and the LNP’s Simon Quinn sixth.
In Woodridge, Health Minister Cameron Dick has the top spot for the ALP, with the Greens’ Jacob Rice in second, the LNP’s Michael Rooms in third and independent Trevor Palmer at the bottom.
Draw for Woodridge:
— Quest Newspapers (@QuestNewspapers) November 7, 2017
1: Cameron Dick (ALP)
2: Jacob Rice (Greens)
3: Michael Rooms (LNP)
4: Trevor Palmer (Independent)@camerondickqld pic.twitter.com/QaGzJAKMHp
Hanson steps up attack on LNP
PAULINE Hanson has doubled down on her attack on LNP Leader Tim Nicholls after blasting him as “arrogant and rude” before the kick-off of the election campaign.
When asked by reporters whether she stood by her comments on October 17, where she said she would prefer Tim Mander as LNP leader and it was “time for Tim Nicholls to go”, the One Nation Senator said she stood by her claims.
Senator Hanson said Mr Nicholls had underperformed as opposition leader and had written off One Nation off as a party.
“I think they’ve actually snubbed One Nation, they’re not listening to the people of Queensland and my attitude is: we’ve actually put our policies forward,” she said.
“They’ve criticised us, they’ve criticised the party, they’ve criticised the policies, yet they come along and they’ve taken up a lot of our policies and a lot of our ideas.”
Mr Nicholls said he didn’t know where the animosity was coming from.
“I’m mystified as to why she would want to do that,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s about personalities, I think it’s about policies.
“It’s about delivering for people rather than trying to play politics and I won’t enter into it.”
LNP DENIES SMEAR CAMPAIGN
THERE’S still no evidence the LNP was involved in any smear campaign against the Premier and her partner, despite a former LNP MP’s comments today, Tim Nicholls says.
Former veteran MP Vaughan Johnson came out to support Annastacia Palaszczuk, claiming federal politicians were behind a mudslinging exercise against her over her partner Shaun Drabsch’s involvement in Adani’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility loan application to the Commonwealth.
“I don’t know where Vaughan Johnson would get that information from because there’s not a skerrick of evidence that supports it,” Mr Nicholls said.
“If there had of been, Annastacia Palaszczuk would have produced it. She seems to be running on a rumour and polls.”
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has made this claim without a skerrick of evidence and in fact the only fear and smear that’s going on is the fear and smear of the Labor Party,” he said.
“Have a look at the TV and what they’re doing to me.”
PREMIER NOT FAN OF CASH FOR ACCESS
THE future of cash-for-access fundraising events will be reconsidered as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed she did not like participating in them.
Following comments made by corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald at a recent address, Ms Pakaszczuk said she would have a look at ending the controversial fundraising method, despite participating in them herself.
“I don’t think people like doing them, frankly. Personally I don’t like doing them,” she said.
“I have limited the amount that I actually do.
“I will go to a function the party organises as part of their business program and essentially that’s about it.”
She said her dislike of the events was not due to feeling uncomfortable about them.
“No, no, I just think we need to have the same rules right across the board,” she said.
LABOR CAMPAIGN GIVES FODDER TO OPPOSITION
TIM Nicholls has taken a swipe at the Premier’s shaky campaign, suggesting disorganised people should not be running the state.
“A well organised, well planned campaign is a sign of a well-organised, well-planned potential government,” he said.
“And I simply say to the people of Queensland: If you want people who do know their own minds, who do have solid policies, policies that are important to you, then the LNP and your local LNP candidate are the people to support.”
PALASZCZUK WON’T RULE OUT GREENS DEAL
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has left the door open to forming minority government with the Greens or Labor defector Margaret Strelow if necessary to retain power.
Rockhampton Mayor and former Labor member Margaret Strelow blindsided Labor yesterday when she announced she would run against the party in Rockhampton as an independent.
Ms Palaszczuk dodged questions this morning on whether she would worked with Cr Strelow or the Greens in a minority government, only ruling out an alliance with One Nation.
“We are not going to be entering into any deals with One Nation,” she said.
“I have made it very clear that I want to see a majority.
“That’s what I’ll be asking Queenslanders (for) between now and the election.”
Despite backing Cr Strelow in the preselection battle, Ms Palaszczuk said Rockhampton candidate Barry O’Rourke had her full support.
“There were party processes to be followed, she has now made a decision,” she said.
“I 100 per cent back our Labor candidate Barry O’Rourke. I absolutely back the party processes and that was something Margaret signed up to.
“I want Barry to be the next Member for Rockhampton, I cannot be any clearer.”
‘UMMM’ ... QUESTION THAT STUMPED THE PREMIER
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk was stumped and unable to name her candidate for Condamine as she visited the regional electorate this morning to announce her agriculture policies.
She arrived at the Olam chickpea silos in Mount Tyson in the electorate of Condamine to make the election commitment, but the Labor’s candidate Brendon Huybregts was absent.
“Unfortunately he can’t be here today, he’s at work,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
When asked for his name, she replied Brendon, but was stumped on his surname.
“Ummm ... ummm ... hang on,” she said, searching through papers.
“He’s actually at work today.”
Asked what he did for work she said she would find out.
“I understand that candidates do actually work. It is hard during a campaign to take time off from work.”
Former Labor Minister and candidate for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine was in attendance.
The LNP’s Pat Weir holds Condamine with a margin of about 17 per cent, after defeating Mr Huybregts in the 2015 election.
Labor’s $29 million agricultural plan announced this morning included extending the existing wild dog face construction by $5 million.
It also included $10 million for Rural Economic Development grants, intended to be used by regional development organisations running programs to create jobs in rural areas.
Another $10 million will be spent on a business care and construction of a export distribution centre, $3 million to extend Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance and Queensland Agricultural Workforce Network.
There will also be $1 million for concessional loans to the chickpea industry to invest in silos and research.
LNP VETERAN IN PREMIER’S CORNER
FORMER LNP MP Vaughan Johnson has come out swinging in support of Queensland’s Labor premier, saying he believes federal politicians are behind a mudslinging exercise aimed at her.
The long-serving former Queensland MP says Annastacia Palaszczuk has copped “a bucket of mud that’s been thrown from Canberra” over her partner Shaun Drabsch’s involvement in a loan application for Indian miner Adani.
The premier last week said she’d learned LNP senators were going to use her partner’s involvement in the application to try to smear her, and for that reason she would veto any such loan so she couldn’t be accused of a conflict of interest.
Mr Johnson says the premier was right to say she’d veto any loan, and he has also launched a spirited defence of Mr Drabsch, a PricewaterhouseCoopers consultant, saying he epitomises decency and professionalism. He says the story could have come from either side of politics, but he’s blamed Canberra.
“We’ve seen now a bucket of mud that’s been thrown from Canberra that’s lobbed right in the face of the election campaign in Queensland - the fingerprints of Canberra are all over this exercise,” he told the ABC on Tuesday.
“I’m an LNP member and I’m loyal to the operation, but there’s one thing I am not loyal to – mudslinging. Let’s keep this a clean, fair dinkum state election.”
Mr Johnson has also defended Mr Drabsch, who he’s known for 30 years.
“I’ve found the man at all times to epitomise absolute decency and professionalism. There’d be people in the LNP too who could easily be working with PricewaterhouseCoopers.”
Battle of the signs in Pumicestone: LNP vs Flick Slick Rick #qldpol #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/xRxYHcS18z
— Jessica Marszalek (@JessMarie_News) November 6, 2017
Federal Resources and Northern Australian Minister Matt Canavan on Monday denied he or his colleagues were planning to use the involvement of the premier’s partner in the loan application to smear her.
Mr Johnson says he supports Adani’s new mine in the Galilee Basin, but does not believe the federal government should be spending $1 billion on an Indian operation that is already under a cloud.
– Tracey Ferrier
Clive’s offer to the Premier
Clive Palmer has weighed into the Adani debate, criticising Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s decision to veto the NAIF loan.
In a statement released this morning Mr Palmer – who has drawn the ire of the Premier over the job loses at his Queensland Nickel – offered to debate Ms Palaszczuk.
The former MP, who has interests in the Galilee Basin through Waratah Coal, also called on her to resign.
She put her interest before yours. The only decision she ever made. A decision to destroy jobs & growth. A disgrace taking away your future
— Clive Palmer (@CliveFPalmer) November 6, 2017
“If the Premier believes she has a conflict of interests regarding providing State Government support for Adani Mining’s application for a Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility loan, then she should step aside as being the Premier of this state,’’ Mr Palmer said.
“The State of Queensland should not have to suffer because of who her partner is and what he does.
“I would be happy to debate the Premier on these issues if she has the guts to do so.”
– Sarah Vogler
Mayor didn’t mean to hurt Qld premier
Former Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow says she didn’t mean to damage the Premier’s re-election campaign by announcing she’ll run as an independent.
Ms Strelow lost preselection to run for Labor in Rockhampton, despite having the backing of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
She’s told the ABC she didn’t mean to keep the Premier out of the loop about her plans to run as an independent, and intended to call her but the rumour mill let the cat out of the bag before she could do that.
– AAP
Battler bus christened with cheap plonk
Pauline Hanson says she hopes the media will spring for a better bottle of champagne when her party wins at least 10 seats at the Queensland election.
The One Nation leader indulged a Channel Nine reporter when she used a “cheap” bottle of bubbly he’d given her to christen her “battler bus” before it hit the road on Monday.
“Channel Nine bought that bottle of champagne and asked me to do it – and (it was) a cheap bottle of champagne I must say,” she told Nine’s Today show host Karl Stefanovic on Tuesday.
“When we actually win these double-digit seats you can buy me a better bottle of champagne to celebrate.”
Senator Hanson is heading north on a road trip to key regional seats she hopes One Nation can claim on November 25, with her chief of staff James Ashby at the wheel of her campaign bus.
Hanson’s “battler bus” is heading for the central Queensland town of Childers on the second leg of its grassroots tour.
The federal One Nation senator is campaigning in key seats ahead of the November 25 state election.
Senator Hanson told reporters in Brisbane on Monday she hoped the party could better its 1998 Queensland election result, in which it won 11 seats. The latest Galaxy poll, published on Sunday, showed One Nation’s vote had risen from 15 to 18 per cent in the past three months.
Neither Labor nor the Liberal National Party is likely to win a majority, meaning they would need to rely on One Nation’s support to pass legislation.
PALASZCZUK BACKS A QUEENSLANDER
QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is headed to a regional race meeting on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup, no doubt hoping for some better luck at the betting window than she’s experienced on the election campaign trail so far.
The Premier will start the day in Toowoomba, after flying in from Mackay on Monday.
She’s planning on backing Ventura Storm, the Irish import being ridden by champion Queensland jockey Glen Boss, who famously won three back-to-back Cups on Makybe Diva.
Ms Palaszczuk faced a third straight day of questioning over the Adani saga on Monday, insisting her decision to veto a Commonwealth loan to the mining giant showed leadership.
The Premier is struggling to find clear air to let her policy announcements breathe, after she revealed on Friday that her partner was involved in Adani’s application for the $1 billion loan and then vowed to block it to avoid any claims of a conflict of interest.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls told reporters that voters’ heads must be spinning over the story, and accusing the premier of sending “mixed signals” about whether she really wanted the project to go ahead.
The LNP leader will be in Bundaberg on Tuesday morning talking to farmers and is due to make another announcement about electricity, before travelling to Hervey Bay.
Hot on his heels will be One Nation’s “Battler’s Bus” which was officially given a champagne launch by the party’s federal leader Pauline Hanson on Monday before it set out from Brisbane on a week-long trip up the state’s coast. Ms Palaszczuk also faced an embarrassing development after her hand-picked candidate for the seat of Rockhampton, town Mayor Margaret Strelow, announced she would stand for the seat as an independent.
It came after a factional brawl passed over Ms Strelow in favour of Labor Unity’s pick of Barry O’Rourke, which the premier at the time described as “the best of both worlds”.
Ms Palaszczuk appeared surprised by the news when told at Monday’s press conference, but later issued a statement saying anyone was entitled to run for office, while also endorsing Mr O’Rourke for the seat.
Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Labor called out over cash for access
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