‘Pack of cowards’: Labor slammed for blocking LNP CCC bill

The state government has blocked the LNP from voting on its CCC bill proposing to give the watchdog powers to comment on investigations and release the Jackie Trad report.

LNP spokesman for the office of Attorney-General Tim Nicholls slammed Labor’s move as a “final act of democratic treachery”. Picture: David Clark

The state government has been accused of committing “political bastardry” by the Opposition after it introduced Crime and Corruption Commission laws on Tuesday night, right as the LNP were due to debate and vote on their own CCC bill.

The unscheduled motion allowed the state government to avoid voting on the LNP private members bill, which proposed to give back powers to the CCC to comment on investigations and release reports, including the Jackie Trad report.

Labor tabled the legislation to parliament about half an hour before the LNP bill was scheduled for debate, sparking fury among Opposition members in the chamber.

The government voted in favour, and with a majority, the draft legislation was accepted and passed onto the Crime and Corruption Committee for review.

However, with parliament sitting for the final time this week ahead of the election and due to go into caretaker mode on October 1, the committee will not have time to review the legislation, rendering it useless.

Following the vote, LNP spokesman for the office of Attorney-General Tim Nicholls released a statement calling Labor MPs cowards and accusing the government of committing a “final act of democratic treachery”.

Jackie Trad. Picture: Richard Gosling

“In an utter abuse of parliament, Labor used juvenile political tricks to sideline a vote on the LNP’s bill,” he said.

“A bill fully supported by the Chair of the Crime and Corruption Commission.

“Labor could have debated and defeated the LNP’s bill if they felt so strongly about it.

“Labor are a pack of cowards who have turned their backs on transparency, openness and the very institution designed to keep power in check.”

The Greens supported the governments bill, while the Katter’s Australian Party voted against.

“This act of political bastardry was aided and abetted by Labor’s bedfellows the Greens,” Mr Nicholls said.

Originally published as ‘Pack of cowards’: Labor slammed for blocking LNP CCC bill