Qld politics: Boundary redraw faces major hurdle after controversial appointment

The redrawing of Queensland’s electoral boundaries could be at risk of legal action due to the way in which the commission was appointed.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington

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Queensland’s redrawn electoral boundaries could face a court challenge because of the government’s failure to consult with Labor and the cross bench about the group’s members, legal advice reveals.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington in April appointed director-general John Sosso as one of three members of the independent Queensland Redistribution Commission.

The Electoral Act requires Ms Frecklington to consult with the Labor Opposition, Katter’s Australian Party and the cross bench about the appointment.

However legal advice sought by Labor cites Ms Frecklington’s failure to respond to Opposition Leader Steven Miles’s letter outlining his concerns about Mr Sosso, or meet about the issue, as evidence consultation was not appropriately undertaken.

Legal advice handed to Mr Miles by Peter Willis SC and Alexander Solomon-Bridge argued Ms Frecklington’s appointment of Mr Sosso to the Queensland Redistribution Commission may not be valid due to her lack of consultation.

Labor had argued against the appointment of Mr Sosso – Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie’s right-hand man – following corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald’s concern Queensland “might be reverting to the bad old days of biased electoral boundaries – the notorious Queensland gerrymander”.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles

Mr Sosso is not accused of wrongdoing.

“We now have legal advice that confirms what we knew all along, the appointment of John Sosso doesn’t hold up to scrutiny,” Mr Miles said.

“The LNP had no intention to genuinely consult because they wanted to appoint John Sosso regardless of the concerns raised by Tony Fitzgerald.”

Ms Frecklington’s office, which has not sighted Labor’s legal advice, dismissed Mr Miles’s claim and said their advice indicated there was no case to answer.

“Crown Law advice confirms proper consultation processes were followed,” a spokeswoman said.

The government’s lawyers are understood to view Ms Frecklington writing to Mr Miles and the crossbench to seek their views meets the acceptable standard of consultation.

Mr Miles argued government ministers repeatedly declared Mr Sosso was above reproach before he was appointed and said it indicated there was no genuine consultation.

He said it clouds the validity of any decisions made by the commission, Mr Miles said.

He said if the LNP “bulldozes ahead with this flawed redistribution”, Queenslanders could have no confidence in the fairness of the state’s electoral boundaries.

Originally published as Qld politics: Boundary redraw faces major hurdle after controversial appointment