Report ‘Call me Sir’ Queensland MP Jim Madden to police, says Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged a woman who alleges coercive control against one of her Labor MPs to go to police.

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

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged a woman who alleges coercive control against a Labor MP to go to police, even though her government has yet to make the domestic violence behaviour a specific criminal offence.

ALP backbencher Jim Madden is accused of coercive control by ex-girlfriend Sarah Grist, who alleges he made her call him “Sir” during their years-long relationship.

Ms Grist says Mr Madden used his power over her to pay for her Labor membership, force her to take executive roles in his local branch, and tell her how to vote, despite her expressing strong objections and fears she was not capable of taking on the roles.

“If the party continues to accept this behaviour from their MPs, they really do need to admit there is clearly some level of acceptance of coercive control within their party structure, and that their actions don’t match their words,” she told The Australian.

She spoke out alongside two former electorate office staffers of Mr Madden, who separately accuse him of bullying and inappropriate touching in the workplace.

Ms Palaszczuk said Ms Grist should take her allegations to the police. “Well, any complaints can be made to the Queensland Police and the complainant has the option to do that,” she said.

A bill was passed earlier this year broadening the definition of domestic violence to include a “pattern of behaviour”, but a specific criminal offence will not be created until later this year.

Asked what Ms Grist could do given coercive control was not yet a criminal offence in Queensland, Ms Palaszczuk said: “I’m not advising her, it’s a matter for her to make any allegations to the police. I’m not the police.”

The Premier said Ms Grist could “talk to the (Labor) party” but walked away when asked if her door was open to Ms Grist.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks about her MP Jim Madden outside a caucus meeting at parliament house. Picture: Liam Kidston

In 2021, Ms Palaszczuk said: “Women have had enough of being harassed, abused and assaulted. They’ve had enough of not being believed or heard. To change the culture, we need men to speak up and stand with us.”

Mr Madden has not responded to repeated requests for comment. He did not attend Labor’s caucus meeting on Monday, ahead of the parliamentary sitting week.

The ALP is investigating a separate formal complaint against Mr Madden, made by an unnamed former electorate staffer, alleging bullying and other inappropriate behaviour against staff, volunteers and campaigners.

Ms Palaszczuk said it was “a matter for him” as to whether Mr Madden decided to run again at next year’s October state election.

“The party’s thresholds to get through the selection panel (are) very high,” she said.

On Friday, Mr Madden was cleared by the clerk of parliament, Neil Laurie, over allegations he misused his electoral allowance to buy a charity artwork for Ms Grist, using a cheque drawn from the bank account containing taxpayer funds. He did not end up acquitting the purchase to the parliament, so Mr Laurie found he did not break any rules.