Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has had barely a month in the top job after Campbell Newman‘s exit at the Queensland State election last month, but is already aware her premiership may be called into question after a decision to sack Labor MP for Cook was made today, according to the ABC.
Billy Gordon, the recently-elected member for Cook, allegedly failed to disclose his criminal record which spans over twenty years from 1987 in a strings of offences, directly leading to Palaszczuk’s decision to sack Gordon today, which leaves the Queensland Government perilously on edge and in anticipation of a by-election result from Cook.
Palaszczuk said, “Integrity is fundamental to any government that I lead, today I am prepared to put my premiership on the line,” and added, “It is a past that isn’t pleasant and it’s a past that was kept from me and the deputy premier.”
According to the ABC, Gordon has been charged with breaking and entering, intent of breaking and entering, stealing, a breach of his probation, public nuisance, unlicensed driving, and was also served an Apprehended Violence Order. Yesterday, the Premier was reportedly accused of a “cover up” over Gordon’s criminal history, after she delayed her referral to police of a complaint letter regarding Gordon’s past.
QLD opposition leader Lawrence Springborg told the ABC yesterday, “She [Palaszczuk] glossed over an extremely serious issue. “In Parliament [on Friday] Annastacia Palaszczuk failed her first test of accountability.”
On the issue today, Palaszczuk admitted, “I’m appalled and I’m shocked and I feel sick to the stomach.”
The by-election result of Cook will be essential for Labor retaining government: if the LNP secures a victory against the ALP in Cook, the Coalition and Labor will both hold 43 seats.
Via ABC.
Lead image by Glenn Hunt via Getty.
