'Comical Ali' barb against Trad sparks call for review of vilification

Speaker Curtis Pitt wants a review into remedies for offensive language used by Queensland politicians following a "Comical Ali" war of words.

In October, LNP deputy leader Tim Mander likened Treasurer Jackie Trad to the propaganda chief of former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein in criticism of her management of the state economy.

Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, known as Comical Ali, kept broadcasting as the bombs fell during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Iraq's former information minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, known as "Comical Ali", kept broadcasting until the last minute while Baghdad was being destroyed around him during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

"Despite bombs blowing up, dropped by American jets around them, despite having tanks rolling into the streets of Baghdad, despite behind him while he is having an interview the statue of Saddam Hussein falling over, [he] said, there's nothing to see here," Mr Mander said.

At the time, Ms Trad said she found Mr Mander's comments "deeply alarming and personally offensive", labelling them racist.

However, LNP leader Deb Frecklington defended her deputy and insisted the comparison was not racist.

Ms Trad wrote to the Speaker to complain the comments were ethnically charged and amounted to unparliamentary behaviour, which Mr Mander denied.

In his verdict, Mr Pitt said he believed Mr Mander's comments were unparliamentary but they did not meet the threshold for contempt.

"I do not believe that the statements can be viewed as an attempt to improperly interfere with the free performance of the Deputy Premier's duties as a member," he said.

Mr Pitt said under the current rules, offended MPs can object to unparliamentary, unbecoming or offensive comments when they are spoken, and they will be withdrawn.

But while Mr Pitt decided not to refer the issue to the powerful ethics committee, he reminded MPs to behave themselves.

"I wish to take the opportunity to remind members of their obligation to strive at all times to conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament and to avoid any action or language which may diminish its standing, authority or dignity," he said.

Mr Pitt said he believed it was time for the Queensland Parliament to consider whether asking for discriminatory, harassing, vilifying or unparliamentary language to be withdrawn was a "sufficient remedy".

He has asked the Committee of the Legislative Assembly to consider whether the code of ethical standards and the standing orders should be reviewed to ensure freedom of speech in the House or committee hearings is sufficiently balanced against modern social and legal standards regarding discriminatory language, harassment, vilification and victimisation.

"And that appropriate remedies are available with respect to matters that transgress those standards," he said.

Ms Trad, who is of Lebanese heritage, has also previously been called "Jihad Jackie" by members of the opposition.

In 2012, LNP member Ray Stevens referred to Ms Trad as "Jihad Jackie" during heated debate about public sector job cuts.