Reason for exiled MP Jimmy Sullivan’s last-minute absence from school event
The reason offered by embattled former Labor MP Jimmy Sullivan to miss a school event in his electorate this week has been revealed. THIS IS GEORGE STREET BEAT
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Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan — now Independent, formerly Labor, and perpetually embattled — was expected to attend an event at a school in his electorate this week.
Instead, GSB sources say he pulled the pin late Monday via email, citing he was “taking time off.”
Time off from what exactly? Parliamentary duties? Damage control? Answering media questions? All of the above?
When asked to confirm whether he’s officially on leave, Mr Sullivan declined to comment.
For someone keen to rebuild trust and prove he’s still working hard for his electorate, letting down schoolkids and dodging questions probably isn’t the comeback tour he was hoping for.
PREMIER’S EAGLE EYE
Housing Minister Sam O’Connor learned this week that there’s no such thing as a quiet slip-in when Community Cabinet is on.
As ministers were introduced one by one at Townsville’s Kirwan State High on Sunday, raising their hands like portfolio-themed bingo, Mr O’ Connor was a no-show. We’re told his flight was late.
Premier David Crisafulli, never one to miss a moment, did a full-blown line scan down the stage like he was searching for a missing sock.
Later, when addressing the crowd, he delivered the zinger of the day:
“Every single one of them (ministers) are in the room today including Sam O’Connor who was late, and that should be noted.”
Cue crowd laughter and a smirk from Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie who made sure to tease his colleague afterwards.
GSB of course ensured to get that part on camera because if you’re going to be late, let us capture your public shaming in HD.
NOT FELINE IT
More than 1000 Queenslanders really have it in for cats, or they at least dream of a future where they live under house arrest, alone and neutered.
A recently tabled petition in the Queensland parliament demanded sweeping changes to state law, asking for a total ban on cat breeding, strict indoor-only confinement rules, and a one-cat-per-household limit.
In his mandatory response, Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett thanked the petitioners for their dedication and pointed out that cat laws fall squarely under local government control.
Councils, not parliament, are better placed to decide whether Snowball from number 12 should be allowed to roam the yard or be sentenced to life in a catio.
Mr Perrett diplomatically noted that cat management is a “complex and sensitive issue” — which is code for “we’re not touching this one with a ten-foot scratching post.”
He also reminded everyone that Queensland already requires microchipping and that unowned cats are managed under biosecurity laws due to their environmental impact.
Long live crazy cat ladies (and gentlemen).
CASE (NOT?) CLOSED
GSB isn’t quite sure if Ros Bates is still suing Shannon Fentiman, because we don’t think Ros Bates is even sure if she’s still suing Shannon Fentiman.
Following last week’s entry where GSB revealed Ms Bates’ 12-month defamation deadline had lapsed, letting Fentiman off the hook for $5000, her media team seem to think the case is still alive.
But while confirming something is happenings no one can say what. Or how. Or if. Sounds iron-clad.
Let’s be honest: she should’ve let sleeping dogs lie instead of offering zero clarity when the clock ran out. No apology, no payment, no follow-through — and now, no answers.
If you’re going to threaten legal action, don’t forget about the deadline because right now, Bates looks less like she’s defending her reputation and more like she lost track of her own paperwork.
JUDGE LAST
Resources Minister Dale Last was notably missing at the big-ticket Mining and Critical Minerals Forum in Townsville this week because he was busy eyeing up livestock at the Clermont Show.
While industry heavyweights gathered to talk copper and Queensland’s $680bn critical minerals future, the man in charge of it all was deep in the Burdekin, earnestly judging cows, and chickens, and horses. Priorities? Absolutely. Just maybe not the ones Rio Tinto expected.
To be fair, it was a longstanding commitment and let’s face it, you don’t just bail on the Clermont Show.
Luckily, local MP Adam Ballie was back in Townsville taking vigorous notes.
Who says you can’t have it all? Dale Last does — just not on the same day.
He is a two-hats man. One Akubra, one hi-vis. One hand in the dirt, the other in the mineral royalties ledger.
BRIEF REIGN
Shannon Fentiman got her moment in the sun on Monday … even if it was thanks to a rogue media alert rather than a caucus revolt.
In a delicious little typo, the Opposition’s press team accidentally declared her “Queensland Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for Women”.
The timing couldn’t have been better with Fentiman and Miles standing side-by-side at a press conference spruiking coercive control laws, a few chuckling about whether Labor had staged a silent leadership swap.
It’s understood the mistake crept in first thing on Monday after Shadow Attorney-General Meaghan Scanlon pulled out at the last minute, and “Steven Miles” was trimmed in the rush to update the alert.
Mr Miles was quick to defend the simple mistake, challenging that perhaps only a journalist who’s never made a typo could start throwing stones at his staff. Touché.
SUSHI AND STADIUMS
Turns out Ros Bates isn’t the only one clocking frequent flyer points.
Sports Minister Tim Mander was off living his best Olympics fanboy life in Japan last month on a six-day government-funded jaunt.
Officially, he was there to spruik the government’s grand Olympic and he did meet with serious people like the Governor of Tokyo and the Japanese Olympic Committee, presumably to compare notes on legacy planning and how not to blow the budget before the cauldron’s even lit.
But don’t worry, there was plenty of cultural immersion.
According to his travel report, Mander donned a pair of Bluey ears and joined a children’s game of Keepy Uppy. Pics or it didn’t happen, Minister.
SPOTTED: GYM FLEX
Opposition Leader Steven Miles has been spotted pumping iron at Total Fusion Newstead — the gym where Lululemon-clad elites work up a sweat and the memberships cost more than your average power bill.
With fees hitting $135 a week, it’s the kind of place where protein shakes come with collagen and everyone has a wellness coach named Blake.
We always figured Mr Miles was more of a Gold’s Gym bloke, but hey, a gym’s a gym and Miles will work out at them all, even if it comes with eucalyptus towels, Aesop bathrooms and luxury infra-red saunas.
Originally published as Reason for exiled MP Jimmy Sullivan’s last-minute absence from school event
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