Queensland election: No toxic culture in Labor MP offices, says Premier Steven Miles

Queensland Premier Steven Miles says there’s not a toxic culture of bullying in the electorate offices of his Labor MPs, after allegations were made by staff against two members of his caucus.

Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman hold a press conference at Mareeba Hospital in far north Queensland with Labor MP Cynthia Lui. Picture: Adam Head

Queensland Premier Steven Miles says there’s not a toxic culture of bullying in the electorate offices of his Labor MPs, after allegations were made by staff against two caucus members.

Labor MP for Cook Cynthia Lui on Thursday conceded staff had made bullying complaints to the clerk of parliament about her, but said those allegations had been resolved and the workers had left her office to pursue “other opportunities”.

An investigation by The Weekend Australian last year revealed then-Labor MP Jim Madden was alleged to have bullied at least two electorate officers, and was ordered by ALP headquarters to do anti-harassment and bullying training. He quit parliament in March and has since been elected to the Ipswich City Council.

Mr Miles said he did not believe there was a toxic culture in his MPs’ electorate offices, and said those workplace complaints had been dealt with by the clerk of parliament.

“In my experience, our MPs are very respectful and indeed very grateful our electorate officers work very hard,” he said.

He said he was not aware of any other bullying allegations against his MPs.

Former Ipswich West MP Jim Madden. Picture: Sarah Marshall

Parliamentary clerk Neil Laurie said four electorate officers had received confidential severance settlement payments from the parliament since mid-2021. He said the deeds of arrangement were very rare, and amounted to thousands of dollars per person, not tens of thousands of dollars.

“I will not keep staff in place in any office where I perceive on reasonable grounds that there is a risk to their health and safety. I will not appoint new staff to any office where I perceive on reasonable grounds that there is a risk to their health and safety,” Mr Laurie said in a statement.

LNP leader David Crisafulli said all 93 MPs should ensure their offices were safe workplaces. “If an allegation was substantiated, and that is furnished in the public, then ultimately a member of parliament answers to electors and I don’t think it’s a very good look,” he said.

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