Queensland election: Rick Williams dumped on eve of poll call
RICK Williams has been dumped by the Labor Party on the eve of the state election after he allegedly threatened a local community newspaper owner, who claims she fears for her life.
QLD Election
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Election. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RICK Williams has been dumped by the Labor Party on the eve of the state election after he allegedly threatened a local community newspaper owner, who claims she fears for her life.
The Pumicestone MP — who has been the subject of numerous complaints since his shock win in the seat in 2015 — was dropped yesterday afternoon.
The move is a sign Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is clearing the decks before calling an election as early as this weekend for November 25.
Labor needs to hold on to seats such as Pumicestone, the state’s most marginal following the redistribution, in its bid to reach the 47 seats the party needs to govern in its own right.
Up until now Labor has stood by Mr Williams, who is a crucial vote on the floor of the hung Parliament.
They re-endorsed him as their candidate just seven months ago but The Courier-Mail can reveal the party acted after The Island and Surrounds owner, Belinda Ferguson, made a complaint to Speaker Peter Wellington on Thursday claiming she feared for her life after the MP made a threatening phone call to her the previous day.
She also forwarded the complaint to the police.
The alleged phone call followed a story Ms Ferguson had published regarding the defacing of signs belonging to the LNP’s Pumicestone candidate, Simone Wilson.
“He said he was going to burn me because I burnt him and he was going to burn me harder,” Ms Ferguson said.
It is understood the party delivered the news to Mr Williams late yesterday afternoon before making his disendorsement public.
“As Premier, I am not satisfied that Mr Williams is the appropriate candidate to represent Labor at the next election which is why I have taken this decision,” she said.
Mr Williams last night denied the phone call was threatening in nature, and said he would be running as an independent.
It is understood Ms Palaszczuk has approached Bribie Island State High School teacher, Michael Hoogwaerts to replace Mr Williams.
The news came as Ms Palaszczuk’s captain’s call in the Rockhampton preselection officially backfired, with her choice, Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow, losing the vote by 42 votes to 33 to the Old Guard’s Barry O’Rourke.
Originally published as Queensland election: Rick Williams dumped on eve of poll call
You can thank me for majority: Miller
RENEGADE MP Jo-Ann Miller claims her decision to reach out to Pauline Hanson gave Labor the winning edge at November 25’s state election.
Premier announces full frontbench
ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has announced her full Cabinet for the 56th Parliament, including both familiar and new faces for Queensland’s most important ministerial portfolios.