The credibility of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been questioned after it was revealed that her government had formed a ‘protection racket’ so that embattled Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller wouldn’t have to answer questions about allegations she signed false documents.
On the first day of Budget Estimates Hearings the Chair of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee (PCCC) referred Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller to the Ethics Committee, prohibiting any questions being asked about the matter.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said it had become clear that the Labor Government had pulled a swiftie in order to protect Jo-Ann Miller.
“It’s more than a coincidence that on the first day of Estimates, the Palaszczuk Government has moved to prevent any questions being asked about a matter that could cause serious them embarrassment,” Mr Springborg said.
“This is nothing more than a protection racket for a Police Minister who is clearly not performing.
“We’ve heard lots of excuses from the Premier but we are yet to see any evidence of the high standard of integrity and accountability Annastacia Palaszczuk promised before the election.
“The longer this Premier is in government, the more people are starting to realise that she is all talk.”
Mr Springborg called on the Premier to live up to her promise to hold her ministers to account, and stand down Jo-Ann Miller until the matter had been resolved.
“Time and time again, bungle after bungle Annastacia Palaszczuk has stood by her Police Minister,” he said.
“This is the Police Minister who contacted a witness in a police investigation, directed her department to send out political material and tried to close a communication centre without any consultation.
“Jo-Ann Miller has run out of chances. What is it going to take for Annastacia Palaszczuk to be an accountable Premier, admit that she got it wrong and appoint a new Police Minister?
“The Premier often talks about her high standards of integrity and accountability but in six months she hasn’t had the gumption to apply these standards to her own government.
“It’s clear that Labor has learnt nothing since Gordon Nuttall. Still protecting its own at all costs.
“Queenslanders didn’t vote for this.”
