Half of LNP Cabinet supports John Sosso to redraw electoral boundaries
Half of the LNP cabinet has thrown its support behind Director-General John Sosso to redraw electoral boundaries despite the concern of eminent corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald.
QLD News
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Half of the LNP cabinet has thrown its support behind Director-General John Sosso to redraw electoral boundaries despite the concern of eminent corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald.
Nine of 18 ministers insist Mr Sosso should be allowed to help redraw electoral boundaries as a member of the independent Queensland Redistribution Commission.
It is despite Mr Fitzgerald on Saturday warning Queensland “might be reverting to the bad old days of biased electoral boundaries”.
Opposition Leader Steven Miles has also put forward 44 names to replace Mr Sosso on the Queensland Redistribution Commission – including Premier David Crisafulli’s Director-General Damien Walker, Integrity Commissioner Linda Waugh and Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy.
The list includes 14 directors-general and is aimed at compromising with the government about the appointment to the independent panel.
Despite the 44 suggestions, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington has indicated she will refuse to consider anyone other than Mr Sosso.
“The three proposed members of the panel are above reproach,” she said.
“Appointments follow the Electoral Act’s requirements for the Queensland Redistribution Commission with a retired judge, a senior public servant, and the electoral commissioner.”
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek and Water Minister Ann Leahy added their voices to the chorus of LNP support for Mr Sosso this week.
Mr Langbroek said he was undisturbed by Mr Fitzgerald’s interjection.
“I was not so much concerned about Tony Fitzgerald’s comments, more of the context in which they were made, which was to the Shadow Treasurer,” he said.
“Of course we respect Tony Fitzgerald’s views and importantly, what we’re doing with the review is as has been done before with the electoral commissioner, a retired judge and a senior public servant.
“I don’t think we should be impugning the reputations of some of those very, very respected and important people and the process that they’re going to carry out.”
Ms Leahy did not directly say whether Mr Fitzgerald’s concern was misplaced, but instead spruiked the quality of candidate.
“All three of the appointments to the electoral review commission are very eminent people,” she said.
“They’re very eminent people who are very skilled in their area.”
Originally published as Half of LNP Cabinet supports John Sosso to redraw electoral boundaries
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