Bully campaign aside, Annastacia Palaszczuk stands by Jim Madden

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is standing by under-fire Labor MP and alleged bully Jim Madden, a month after her government launched an anti-bullying campaign.

Labor MP Madden. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is standing by under-fire Labor MP and alleged bully Jim Madden, a month after her government launched an advertising campaign urging bosses to show “zero tolerance” for bullying and harassment.

Two of Mr Madden’s electorate office staff have told The Australian the backbencher allegedly bullied and harassed them, and his former girlfriend Sarah Grist has told of alleged “coercive control” for political gain.

One of the staffers, Alison Young, has an approved WorkCover claim for diagnosed PTSD and anxiety arising from her time in the Ipswich West MP’s office.

Jim Madden’s former electorate officer Alison Young. Picture: Sarah Elks,

Asked how Ms Palaszczuk was showing “zero tolerance” towards bullying by keeping Mr Madden in her caucus and in a $25,000 a year committee role, her spokesman said: “As the Premier said on Tuesday, the allegations are concerning and she expects very high standards from all MPs.”

Parliament clerk Neil Laurie is investigating a separate matter involving Mr Madden, in which it is alleged he spent taxpayer money on a butterfly artwork for his then-girlfriend Ms Grist at a special school charity auction.

Ipswich West MP Jim Madden and his then girlfriend Sarah Grist. Picture: Sarah Grist

On Tuesday, Ms Palaszczuk said she would wait for the outcome of that probe before doing anything about her colleague.

The advertising campaign, launched last month for Queensland Women’s Week, is entitled Let’s Protect Respect, and says “harassment and bullying have no place in my workplace”.

“Discrimination, bullying and harassment must have no place in the workplace,” the government’s promotional kit says. “Calling it out and taking action, without causing further harm, is one of the top 10 things workplace leaders can do for gender equality.

“Leaders can start by promoting and displaying zero tolerance for sexual discrimination, bullying and harassment.”

The Queensland government in March launched a glossy anti-workplace bullying campaign, calling for workplace leaders to show zero tolerance towards the behaviour.,

The cost of the campaign has not yet been disclosed on the government’s open data website, and the Premier’s office did not say how much was spent.

Mr Madden has not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Australian. He defended himself during the WorkCover process, and engaged Maurice Blackburn during Labor’s internal investigation into Ms Young’s complaint.

He was not expelled from the party after the year-long probe by barrister Kylie Hillard, and was instead reprimanded and ordered to undergo anti-bullying training.

The LNP’s Andrew Powell said Mr Laurie did not have the power to investigate coercive control allegations against Mr Madden.

“Premier Palaszczuk has not yet explained how she is dealing with these serious allegations,” he said.

“The people of Ipswich West and Queensland deserve to know how the Premier is dealing with this issue.”

Labor is also investigating a second formal complaint against Mr Madden, lodged by another former staffer of his.

The Australian understand the new complaint alleges bullying, harassment and inappropriate behaviour by the backbencher against the complainant, party volunteers and other electorate ­office workers.

Complaints manager Rachel Drew is handling the matter and has again engaged an independent barrister to investigate.