Treasurer distances himself from Miles’ explosive judiciary attack

Treasurer Cameron Dick has distanced himself from Steven Miles’ extraordinary admonishment of the judiciary.

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Treasurer Cameron Dick has distanced himself from Steven Miles’ extraordinary admonishment of the judiciary – saying he doesn’t want to jeopardise any future appeals.

The Deputy Premier lashed out at Townsville Magistrate Viviana Keegan last week, who released 13 alleged youth offenders on bail in a single day – with Mr Miles branding her decision a “media stunt”.

The comments were roundly criticised by the legal community – including by the Queensland Law Society, which said Mr Miles’ remarks were “offensive to the doctrine of the separation of powers”.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

As he was asked about Mr Miles’ comments on Sunday, Mr Dick said he had to be careful about what he said about the Magistrate’s decision.

“I understand the concerns Queenslanders have about crime,” the Treasurer said.

“But as a former Attorney-General I need to choose my words carefully and I need to be careful about what I say.

“So the matters the subject of public discussion at the moment relate to ... decisions made by a Magistrate in Townsville last Thursday.

“As I understand it, those matters are now being considered for appeal.

“So I’m not going to say anything that is going to impact on that process of considering appeal, of enacting or taking action on an appeal and I’m not going to say anything that’s going to potentially impact on the prospects of appeal as a result of those decisions.”

Asked if he believed Mr Miles took his comments too far, Mr Dick wouldn’t answer – pointing to his earlier comments. Neither would he say if he was distancing himself from Mr Miles.

“I need to be very careful about what I say as a former Attorney-General and I have said what I’m going to say,” Mr Dick said.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles addresses the media at the Cairns Domestic Terminal on Thursday. Picture: Emily Barker.

Following the Treasurer’s press conference, a spokeswoman for Mr Miles said the Deputy Premier stood by his comments – but would not be commenting on Mr Dick’s remarks.

In response to Magistrate Keegan’s decision last week, Mr Miles – who heads Labor’s Left faction – accused her of putting the Townsville community “in danger”.

“We cannot stand and watch a media stunt like this one from someone who clearly does not agree with our policies (that are) designed to keep dangerous offenders out of the community,” he said at the time.

“We cannot allow the safety of Townsville residents to be held to ransom by rogue courts and rogue justices.”

Mr Dick, who is the most senior Right faction figure after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, served as Attorney-General during the Bligh government.

Originally published as Treasurer distances himself from Miles’ explosive judiciary attack