George St Beat: Labor MP Grace Grace takes big bite out of debate

Never let a debate get between Queensland MPs and their lunch. It took some stern words from Grace Grace to get her parliamentary colleagues what they wanted. THIS IS GEORGE ST BEAT

The Queensland Parliament Building, with 1 William St behind. Picture: David Clark

Politicians fight for policy. Grace Grace? She fights for lunch.

Parliament sitting days can be unpredictable but if there is one thing that has bipartisan support it’s that you pause whatever is happening in the chamber to break for lunch at 1pm.

It’s the start of a beautiful one-hour window of hot food service.

But on Tuesday, MPs were stuck in the chamber for a little longer than usual and Grace Grace was having none of it.

As Dr Christian Rowan was giving his two cents on the amendment bill that will see the extension of ankle monitors put on youth offenders the clock struck 1.

Grace Grace made a point of getting MPs out to lunch. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

But instead of adjourning he was permitted to carry on, earning him a swift direction from Grace to “wrap it up”.

“Come on, it’s lunchtime. You can come back,” she said.

The Deputy Speaker was in no hurry though, forcing members to wait until the end of Dr Rowan’s speech with a veiled threat to make them stay even longer if they kept complaining.

Democracy may be eternal but the buffet still closes at 2pm.

MEMBERS ONLY

Is the freedom of the press under attack?

The television journalists in Queensland’s press gallery arrived at parliament bright-eyed on Tuesday only to find they’d been barred from one of their key live cross locations.

A balcony corner in the historic sandstone building looking over the Brisbane River and One William Street tower has become a ‘members only’ area.

GSB heard the committee overseeing the precinct endorsed making that area – where MPs are often seen enjoying a drink or filming an interrogation-free video for their social media – private.

Of course, members of parliament require private areas to conduct meetings or business, but it’s questionable to include this noisy balcony with its wicker chairs and tables as one of those.

At the least, GSB would advocate for the press gallery to be consulted.

Alongside an increase in the prices at parliament’s canteen, this isn’t the fresh start we were promised.

Speaking of politicians, a spinner for health minister Tim Nicholls decided to insert herself in a press conference at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

In the middle of journalists asking questions she chimed in to ask her own softball question of a health worker.

It’s something we don’t expect will become a regular occurrence.

PHYSICAL TOLL

Parliament’s been a rough place lately, with members suffering significant physical injury.

In February South Brisbane MP Barbara O’Shea fractured her eye socket running to make a division and this week Opposition Closing The Gap and Reconciliation spokeswoman Leeanne Enoch fell on the way back into parliament from a protest outside.

Member for South Brisbane, Barbara O'Shea. Photo: Patrick Woods.

GSB spotted Ms Enoch with her arm in a sling on Tuesday afternoon and she did not attend the remaining days.

MINISTER TREVOR PERRETT

An embarrassing slip of the tongue happened to Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy as she introduced a ministerial colleague to the media in Charleville and got his name wrong.

The Primary Resources Minister was introduced as ‘Trevor’ Perrett instead of as Tony while they provided western Queensland flood updates at Charleville Airport on Friday, but Ms Leahy carried on with the interview so smoothly it was unclear whether she was aware of her gaffe.

‘Trevor’ is not amused. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

It is a rough time as Ms Leahy travels her extensive Warrego electorate which faces enormous flood damage and blocked roads, right after being stripped of her community recovery responsibilities.

Premier David Crisafulli has handed that responsibility to Families, Seniors and Disability Services Minister Amanda Camm, who dashed off to Longreach that day, with the understanding the move split community and infrastructure recovery efforts.

As for Leahy, well, at least Trevor and Tony both start with T?

SPOTTED

Retired Gregory MP Lachlan Miller was spotted around the traps this week.

GSB is told he’s doing some noble work for the Royal Flying Doctor and was at parliament on business.

He’s looking quite dapper and relaxed these days. A far cry from the hard work MP Sean Dillon has ahead of him has in the aftermath of the Central Queensland floods.

Originally published as George St Beat: Labor MP Grace Grace takes big bite out of debate