Extract from The Guardian
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has sacked Labor MP Billy Gordon from the party after details emerged of his criminal past.
Palaszczuk said on Sunday she “felt sick in the stomach” after Gordon was forced to reveal that he had convictions for breaking and entering, theft, breaching probation, public nuisance, breaching bail conditions and driving offences dating back to the 1980s.
“I’m appalled, I’m shocked and I feel sick in the stomach,” she told reporters in Townsville.
The premier, who has a wafer-thin, one-seat working majority in parliament, also called on the MP for Cook to resign from parliament despite the fact that a possible by-election could lead to the fall of her government less than two months after the state election.
“This is one of the toughest calls I’ve had to make,” the premier said. “In the best interests of Queensland he should resign.”
Amid speculation about how the Palaszczuk government would survive the potential loss of one vote, Katter’s Australian Party, which has two seats in the lower house, said it was “not in the business of tearing governments down”.
Robbie Katter said the party was holding talks with the government about securing his party’s support in parliament.
“We are making progress with the ALP, at the moment we’re not there, where we could show them support,” Katter told AAP. “But we’d like to be optimistic about that because we don’t want to be in the business of tearing down governments every six months or every year.”
Police were already investigating allegations of domestic violence against Gordon.
Independent Speaker Peter Wellington – whose support allowed Labor to form government – has called for Gordon to resign from state parliament immediately, saying his position is untenable.
“He is the only person who can decide that – the parliament cannot sack him,” Wellington said.
“I believe the member for Cook should resign and there should be a byelection as soon as possible. It’s up to the member to choose himself, but the honourable thing is to resign.”
Gordon took to Facebook on Sunday morning to apologise for failing to disclose his criminal history.
“Over the last couple of days details of my personal life have been made public,” he wrote. “Issues ranging from failure to lodge tax returns, failure to pay appropriate child support and most significantly allegations of domestic violence.
“I have worked hard to rectify outstanding taxation and child support issues.”
The MP said the allegations of domestic violence had been referred by the premier to police.
“I welcome this investigation and will provide it with full cooperation,” Gordon said.
He then listed his past convictions for breaking and entering, breaking and entering with intent, stealing, breaching probation, public nuisance, breaching bail conditions and driving offences, including having his driver’s licence suspended twice.
Most convictions were in the 1980s and 90s, but his driver’s licence was suspended for unlicensed driving twice, in 2004 and 2008.
Gordon said he was also served with an apprehended violence order in 2008 after a complaint by his mother.
“I recognise that my own personal circumstances are no excuse for my non-disclosure, however from this troubled and fractured past I’ve managed to piece together a positive and constructive life,” he said.
Palaszczuk said on Sunday she “felt sick in the stomach” after Gordon was forced to reveal that he had convictions for breaking and entering, theft, breaching probation, public nuisance, breaching bail conditions and driving offences dating back to the 1980s.
“I’m appalled, I’m shocked and I feel sick in the stomach,” she told reporters in Townsville.
The premier, who has a wafer-thin, one-seat working majority in parliament, also called on the MP for Cook to resign from parliament despite the fact that a possible by-election could lead to the fall of her government less than two months after the state election.
“This is one of the toughest calls I’ve had to make,” the premier said. “In the best interests of Queensland he should resign.”
Amid speculation about how the Palaszczuk government would survive the potential loss of one vote, Katter’s Australian Party, which has two seats in the lower house, said it was “not in the business of tearing governments down”.
Robbie Katter said the party was holding talks with the government about securing his party’s support in parliament.
“We are making progress with the ALP, at the moment we’re not there, where we could show them support,” Katter told AAP. “But we’d like to be optimistic about that because we don’t want to be in the business of tearing down governments every six months or every year.”
Police were already investigating allegations of domestic violence against Gordon.
Independent Speaker Peter Wellington – whose support allowed Labor to form government – has called for Gordon to resign from state parliament immediately, saying his position is untenable.
“He is the only person who can decide that – the parliament cannot sack him,” Wellington said.
“I believe the member for Cook should resign and there should be a byelection as soon as possible. It’s up to the member to choose himself, but the honourable thing is to resign.”
Gordon took to Facebook on Sunday morning to apologise for failing to disclose his criminal history.
“Over the last couple of days details of my personal life have been made public,” he wrote. “Issues ranging from failure to lodge tax returns, failure to pay appropriate child support and most significantly allegations of domestic violence.
“I have worked hard to rectify outstanding taxation and child support issues.”
The MP said the allegations of domestic violence had been referred by the premier to police.
“I welcome this investigation and will provide it with full cooperation,” Gordon said.
He then listed his past convictions for breaking and entering, breaking and entering with intent, stealing, breaching probation, public nuisance, breaching bail conditions and driving offences, including having his driver’s licence suspended twice.
Most convictions were in the 1980s and 90s, but his driver’s licence was suspended for unlicensed driving twice, in 2004 and 2008.
Gordon said he was also served with an apprehended violence order in 2008 after a complaint by his mother.
“I recognise that my own personal circumstances are no excuse for my non-disclosure, however from this troubled and fractured past I’ve managed to piece together a positive and constructive life,” he said.
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