Possible by-election Cook

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Annastacia Palaszczuk refers Billy Gordon to police commissioner

Couriermail --> Labor's grip on power under threat as allegations about MP referred to Police Commissioner

[ozbob]

^ This could lead to a change in Government if say there was a by-election and ALP failed to win the seat.

Still, it needs to be determined if there is a cause for a by-election.

[ozbob]

The chances of any meaningful improvements in public transport until this is matter is resolved are virtually zero now I expect.

There will be a policy paralysis, crisis management, political grandstanding.

What a diabolical mess is Queensland polyticks ..

KAP might give support to ALP, but I doubt it.  So stalemate ..

[ozbob]

The smart thing to do for the ALP would be to start implementing change and new policy.  But I expect it might be now concentrated on North Qld ... lol

[#Metro]

Join! The Queensland
MANGO PARTY
Because we are not bananas!


http://rubyrockets.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/african_mango_fruit.png

[ozbob]

I saw a straight banana once ... just sayin' ... 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> LNP would be ready for Cook byelection: Springborg

[ozbob]

I expect that the Member for Cook will be suspended depending investigation outcome.  This means a stranded administration.  Nothing will happen until investigation finalised and/or a by-election.

Would not surprise if Member resigns.

Well bus competitive tendering might be back on.  BaT no, that was canned by Springborg as asset sales not happening.

Might be a show for bus network reform if LNP + KAP take over.  But then again ...

[James]

I expect that the Member for Cook will be suspended depending investigation outcome.  This means a stranded administration.  Nothing will happen until investigation finalised and/or a by-election.

Would not surprise if Member resigns.

Well bus competitive tendering might be back on.  BaT no, that was canned by Springborg as asset sales not happening.

Might be a show for bus network reform if LNP + KAP take over.  But then again ...

Regardless, this isn't going to be pretty.... Well I guess the LNP was right when they said a hung parliament would be chaos. Just didn't expect chaos to happen within 2 months of the election...

As far as I see, competitive tendering = "privatisation" = poison for any government in Qld. The parochial attitude of Qlders with respect to assets (and the strong fire power of the unions) means CT is off the table. The government is on a knife edge, and neither side of government is in spending time on what is generally not a politically important issue, particularly when the electorate has not forgotten what the LNP did.

ALP retaining government is probably better for bus reform. The LNP is probably too petrified to do anything but give everybody a kitten and a warm cup of coco. At least the ALP might maybe possibly attempt a portion or portions of bus reform.

[ozbob]

If there is a by-election and LNP win it.  I think the Govt of 43 LNP + 2 KAP will not last that long either.  KAP will get too pushy in the end.

And who knows what lurks behind more MPs closets .. 

So, stalemate. 

General state election will be sooner than later.

My cup of hot chocolate tastes good.  I never drink coffee after 9am.   

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor holds crisis meeting over Billy Gordon allegations

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Labor Government in crisis as MP admits to criminal past

[ozbob]

A swift by-election is the only thing that might save the present Government.

One wonders what goes on in these political party HQs. 

[#Metro]

By-election or bye-election? Haha

Yes, one does wonder. One can speculate also!

Just waiting for the hitler downfall spoof video to be made. LOL 

HOPELESS in QLD. There must be some way to put the state into voluntary administration.

[#Metro]

A swift by-election is the only thing that might save the present Government.

I don't think they can push him out, he holds the seat and was elected by the people there. He'd have to do it voluntarily.

Can't lose office unless convicted of an offence IMHO. Though if he is bankrupted by ATO proceedings that might change.

https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/P/ParliaQA01.pdf

[ozbob]

The wild card in this will be the Speaker.

If the Member of Cook resigns from the party and sits on the crossbench numbers are notionally still there if the Member continues to support the Govt on confidence.  That is probably the pragmatic outcome but is contingent on ongoing support from the Speaker.

If the Member did resign, and a by-election held this would probably satisfy both the Speaker and put the Govt in a less compromised position. In the interim it is unlikely that there will be anything advanced from Government.

The Cabinet has a community cabinet in Townsville the next few days ..     

[mufreight]

The Premier should suspend the member until such time as the matter is resolved, while it should make no difference the member is of an indigenous background and these matters are somewhat dated. That he did not disclose these matters prior to his pre-selection is a failing on his part but one must also question as to why these matters have taken so long to be brought to the public attention and then by a LNP supporter who it would appear was aware of these matters prior to the election.
That the matters should be fully investigated there is no question and should there still remain doubt the member should resign from the ALP and as the member and a by-election should be held with the ALP taking the time to select the best available candidate and put his/her background under the microscope and also all other members to ensure that there are no more hidden secrets, at the same time a similar check should be made of all LNP members looking for more ploonkers on that side of the fence.

[ozbob]

Twitter

ABC News Queensland ‏@abcnews_qld 1h

Qld Ind @pwellingtonmp says ALP's @BillyGordonMP should resign over criminal record #qldpol http://ab.co/19bP0Z1 

[ozbob]

Twitter

ABC Radio Brisbane ‏@612brisbane 11 minutes ago

Annastacia Palaszczuk calls for Billy Gordon's resignation from parliament. #qldpol

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Palaszczuk sacks Billy Gordon

Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk has expelled Billy Gordon from the Labor Party and advised him to resign.

Ms Palaszczuk said she was prepared to "put my premiership on the line", but she could not let the issue slide.

She said Mr Gordon had let her, her government and the people of Queensland down and had looked into her face and been "dishonest".

"There is no second chance," she said.

The announcement comes after allegations of domestic violence against the MP were referred to police and he posted a detailed of his criminal record.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she "feels sick" that Mr Gordon's past was kept from her.

[James]

Here is hoping Billy Gordon does the right thing and resigns, instead of a grubby Craig Thompson V2.0 approach where he refuses to resign.

Alas, regardless, more chaos in Queensland politics. Ho hummm....

[ozbob]

If the Member for Cook does not resign, and both sides refuse to accept his vote.  Then no one can govern.  In this circumstance a general election would be necessary. [Unless the KAP and/or Speaker change positions]

If the Member for Cook does resign there will be a by-election.  Who Governs will then depend of course on who wins that seat.  Probably be a Melbourne cup field of sorts. 

If nothing else, strong correct leadership from the Premier.  Certainly has put her Premiership on the line.  Many would not do that.  Gillard didn't. Newman didn't even with his massive majority. 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Shane Doherty ‏@ShaneDoherty9 19 minutes ago Townsville, Queensland

Parliament resumes in May. Numbers tied 44-all. No-one accepts new Ind support. Gov steps in. Election. Or Gordon quits. By-election #9News

============

^

exactly.

[ozbob]

Smoke ...

==============

Twitter

Nine News Brisbane ‏@9NewsBrisbane 16 minutes ago

.@KattersAusParty in talks with @QLDLabor government: http://short.ninem.sn/QkYPuZd  #9News

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Labor, Katter party in talks: Katter

[#Metro]

The Govenor may well take the initiative to fire the Queensland Government, forcing election. But one would think bills would have to be blocked first.

[STB]

The Govenor may well take the initiative to fire the Queensland Government, forcing election. But one would think bills would have to be blocked first.

I think under convention only the Governor can fire a Government if the budget bills don't get through, if the budget bills can't get through the Government has no legal authority to spend anything, and can only really act under advice of the Executive (Premier).

[James]

The Govenor may well take the initiative to fire the Queensland Government, forcing election. But one would think bills would have to be blocked first.

'Firing' the Qld Government is hardly necessary. Opposition will move a "no confidence" motion, in which case if the state of affairs remains the same (KAP not siding with Govt), it will be 44 all (assuming Billy Gordon sides with the ALP). Speaker Peter Wellington will refuse to accept the vote of Gordon, so will vote against the motion (in theory), and thus bring the government down.

If the Governor has a feeling that the government no longer has C+S, he can always give Springborg a nudge to test the numbers, not that I think this will be necessary. Abbott was practically bringing on the steps towards a "no confidence" motions every week when Parly was sitting, even though they would almost always fail at the "censure motion" level.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk expels Cook MP Billy Gordon over criminal record, government in jeopardy

Queensland's minority Labor government is in jeopardy after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk sacked MP Billy Gordon from the party over a string of undeclared criminal offences.

The Premier acknowledged the decision could see her lose her premiership, but said Mr Gordon's position was untenable.

"Integrity is fundamental to any government that I lead," she said.

"Today I am prepared to put my premiership on the line."

Mr Gordon, the member for Cook, said in a statement he was weighing up his options and needed time to seek further legal advice and discuss the matter with his family and supporters.

"I am very concerned that I should be afforded natural justice in any determination that my tenure as the Member for Cook should be terminated because of [the Premier's] move to see me expelled from the Labor Party and her wish for me to resign as a Member of Parliament," the statement said.

"The Premier has previously requested that the Police Commissioner investigate whether I have transgressed any law and that process should be allowed to continue its natural course.

"Any other attempt to remove me from the Parliament and force me to resign is a denial of natural justice."

He said in the statement he had a "serious eye operation" on Monday ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Gordon sends Palaszczuk Government into crisis

The issue with the ALP is the non disclosure.  The ALP are quite within their rights to remove him from the ALP.  The non disclosure has occurred twice.  Mr Gordon was a federal candidate in 2013.  Police checks only go back 10 years.

The other issue of whether he continues as the Member for Cook is really up to the Member.  The LNP has already stated that they would not accept his vote.  So unless the KAP change support (assumed LNP at present) this would ultimately be a stalemate and the Governor would have to move to force a general election.

If Mr Gordon does resign then it goes to a by-election. Who governs then depends on the result there (unless KAP change etc.)

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Palaszczuk still has my support: Wellington

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has the support of Queensland Speaker Peter Wellington as the evolving weekend events now place the new Labor Government on a knife-edge, the Speaker confirmed on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Wellington said the action by the Premier to ask the ALP to sack embattled Cook MP Billy Gordon for failing to reveal his criminal charges was decisive.

"My support for Annastacia remains," Mr Wellington said.

"She has my confidence and I conveyed that to her today when we had a discussion," he said.

"She has done the right thing, she has acted decisively."

"She has spoken with the Member for Cook and she has told him what she believes he should do.

"And I support her."

Mr Wellington said he did not need to give Ms Palaszczuk an ultimatum.

"No I did not do that," he said.

"She didn't test the water with me and she has basically said 'No. These are the principles that I want to lead by and said I will be making an announcement at midday'," he said.

"There was no prompting from me. And I think that goes to her character, where she is putting her premiership on the line."

Mr Wellington said he believed Mr Gordon should resign from state parliament and a by-election should happen as soon as possible.

"My view is very clear. Mr Gordon should resign for the good of Queensland, for the good of his electorate, for the good of himself and especially, for our parliament,"

"So the Parliament is able to focus on the business before it without any distractions." ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Parliament paralysed as Labor sacks strife-stricken MP

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Billy Gordon resigns from Labor party

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Parliament in a state of flux

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> Billy Gordon's past shouldn't end the Queensland government

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Peter Wellington 'won't be used' in Billy Gordon affair

[ozbob]

Clerk's advise to Speaker Peter Wellington on Billy Gordon MP

>> http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2015/5515T227.pdf

[ozbob]

Twitter

Stefan Armbruster ‏@StefArmbruster 3 minutes ago

Billy Gordon exclusive today in Weipa Bulletin via @MattNicholls29, Warren Entsch says helped accuser #qldpol #auspol

[ozbob]

Well, I doubt if the Member for Cook is going anywhere fast.

No doubt another no confidence motion will be moved next Parliament sitting.

If the LNP stick to the notion that they will not count the Member for Cook's vote for them (assuming procedural counting changes to make the identification of how people are voting to allow them to do that) then more than likely a 44/44 deadlock. Still possible that Labor might accept the Member's vote then status quo continues.

Time for the Governor to step in and consign the 55th Parliament to oblivion and go for the 56th if deadlock ...

If, and it is a very big if the KAP end up supporting Labor then 55th Parliament continues.