Labor seeks probe into claims Sue Hickey was enticed to stand for office with promise of senior government role

Labor wants an investigation into claims Sue Hickey was offered a ministerial role in return for running for office.

Sue Hickey. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

LABOR wants an investigation into claims Liberal member Sue Hickey was enticed to stand for office with the promise of a senior role in government.

Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad has written to Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey asking him to look into the claims — which have been denied.

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During a radio interview on Monday, Ms Hickey said it was suggested she would be rewarded with a ministry if she stood as a Liberal candidate for Clark in the 2018 state election.

“They did make inferences, I would be, bearing [in] mind I was coming from the position of Lord Mayor,” she said.

Section 187 of the Electoral Act make it an offence to promise or offer “any property or benefit of any kind with the intention of influencing a person’s election conduct at an election”.

It includes conduct which influences whether or not the person nominates as a candidate.

The maximum penalty is two years’ jail or a $159,000 fine.

Ms Haddad said the matter required urgent investigation.

Ella Haddad. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“Extremely serious allegations have been aired and they are tantamount to bribery which demands investigation,” she said.

“It’s extremely alarming that these allegations involve senior members of the Liberal party and senior members of the Premier’s inner circle with access to the highest levels of government.

“These people would have been aware that you cannot offer inducements — it is against the law.

“Will Hodgman and his inner circle have serious questions to answer.”

Brad Stansfield, who was Premier Will Hodgman’s chief of staff, was one of those who allegedly made the offer.

Former Chief of Staff to Premier Will Hodgman Brad Stansfield. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The other was Liberal Party State director Sam McQuestin.

“Allegations, suggestions about promises being made for ministries, only the premier would be able to make such a promise,” Mr Stansfield said in an interview on his public relations firm’s podcast.

“Certainly neither myself or Mr McQuestin or anybody else would be able to deliver that because ministries are the Premier’s domain in the Liberal Party to determine.

“And secondly no such promises were made.”

Comment was sought from Mr McQuestin.