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Palaszczuk has been honest about Billy Gordon. But it's still a sad day for Aboriginal Australia Palaszczuk has been honest about Billy Gordon. But it's still a sad day for Aboriginal Australia
(about 1 hour later)
Queensland has its own list of political firsts: the first and only state to elect a Communist party MP, the first to have a female premier win re-election, the first to have both a female premier and deputy premier and a cabinet with a majority of women. It was also the first State parliament to elect two Aboriginal MPs from a single election.Queensland has its own list of political firsts: the first and only state to elect a Communist party MP, the first to have a female premier win re-election, the first to have both a female premier and deputy premier and a cabinet with a majority of women. It was also the first State parliament to elect two Aboriginal MPs from a single election.
Sadly, another first might be added to this list as one of those MPs, Billy Gordon, from the sprawling Cape York-based electorate of Cook, could become the catalyst to see a government fall after only six weeks in office.Sadly, another first might be added to this list as one of those MPs, Billy Gordon, from the sprawling Cape York-based electorate of Cook, could become the catalyst to see a government fall after only six weeks in office.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has demanded Gordon’s expulsion from the Labor party and called on him to resign from parliament. That’s a big call when your government holds office with a wafer thin majority relying on an independent member. Nonetheless, it shows Palaszczuk sets the bar high in establishing her own political integrity.Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has demanded Gordon’s expulsion from the Labor party and called on him to resign from parliament. That’s a big call when your government holds office with a wafer thin majority relying on an independent member. Nonetheless, it shows Palaszczuk sets the bar high in establishing her own political integrity.
The premier’s problems emerged late last week when it became public that Gordon had failed to lodge tax returns and pay child support. Summoned to meet Palaszczuk, he then apparently failed to disclose other matters about his past. Subsequently, criminal convictions and allegations of domestic violence have been made public. A second woman alleged domestic violence on Tuesday.The premier’s problems emerged late last week when it became public that Gordon had failed to lodge tax returns and pay child support. Summoned to meet Palaszczuk, he then apparently failed to disclose other matters about his past. Subsequently, criminal convictions and allegations of domestic violence have been made public. A second woman alleged domestic violence on Tuesday.
Gordon clearly aspired to public office, campaigning hard in a difficult marginal seat. At one stage, he looked close to picking up a federal seat when he stood against Warren Entsch at the 2013 election. If this ends in his fall, it will be Shakespearean in its tragedy.Gordon clearly aspired to public office, campaigning hard in a difficult marginal seat. At one stage, he looked close to picking up a federal seat when he stood against Warren Entsch at the 2013 election. If this ends in his fall, it will be Shakespearean in its tragedy.
Palaszczuk has approached the issue from the perspective of honesty. Her reasoning is that Gordon must resign, not because of the allegations of domestic violence or the fact of the criminal convictions in the 1980s and 1990s, but because he lied to her when directly asked about his past behaviours.Palaszczuk has approached the issue from the perspective of honesty. Her reasoning is that Gordon must resign, not because of the allegations of domestic violence or the fact of the criminal convictions in the 1980s and 1990s, but because he lied to her when directly asked about his past behaviours.
This is the right way for her to act, as Gordon denies the abuse allegations, which have been referred by the premier to the Police. The convictions in and of themselves are not legal grounds for disqualification to be a parliamentarian. The Speaker of the QLD parliament has said the allegations do not require Gordon to resign. This is the right way for her to act, as Gordon denies the abuse allegations, which have been referred by the premier to the Police. The convictions in and of themselves are not legal grounds for disqualification to be a parliamentarian. The Speaker of the Queensland parliament has said the allegations do not require Gordon to resign.
A person should not be condemned for all time due to a criminal conviction. The barrier to becoming a parliamentarian throughout Australia is linked to the seriousness of an offence and its penalty, not the mere fact of a conviction. Noel Pearson, speaking on the ABC on Monday, reminded us that Gordon is indeed entitled to “natural justice”.A person should not be condemned for all time due to a criminal conviction. The barrier to becoming a parliamentarian throughout Australia is linked to the seriousness of an offence and its penalty, not the mere fact of a conviction. Noel Pearson, speaking on the ABC on Monday, reminded us that Gordon is indeed entitled to “natural justice”.
By not relying on the domestic violence allegations, Palaszczuk has avoided both the pre-judging of allegations which have been denied, and has not fed the damaging stereotype that all Aboriginal men are inclined to violence towards women.By not relying on the domestic violence allegations, Palaszczuk has avoided both the pre-judging of allegations which have been denied, and has not fed the damaging stereotype that all Aboriginal men are inclined to violence towards women.
In taking this path, Palaszczuk has learnt from the mistakes from the past. Campbell Newman failed to act decisively when serious issues emerged around one of his MPs, Scott Driscoll, in the previous Parliament; Julia Gillard was tarnished over the delay to properly distance the ALP and her government from Craig Thompson.In taking this path, Palaszczuk has learnt from the mistakes from the past. Campbell Newman failed to act decisively when serious issues emerged around one of his MPs, Scott Driscoll, in the previous Parliament; Julia Gillard was tarnished over the delay to properly distance the ALP and her government from Craig Thompson.
Both Gillard and Palaszczuk confronted minority governments, but history indicates that you must govern and take decisions, irrespective of the size of the government’s majority, in the public interest. Irrespective of the apparent political risk, on this score, Palaszczuk has both acted correctly and taken the politically smart option.Both Gillard and Palaszczuk confronted minority governments, but history indicates that you must govern and take decisions, irrespective of the size of the government’s majority, in the public interest. Irrespective of the apparent political risk, on this score, Palaszczuk has both acted correctly and taken the politically smart option.
If Gordon does resign, it would be likely that Palaszczuk will be able to remain premier until the holding of the by-election within the next month or so. Both the Speaker and the two Katter Party MPs have indicated their willingness to allow her government to continue.If Gordon does resign, it would be likely that Palaszczuk will be able to remain premier until the holding of the by-election within the next month or so. Both the Speaker and the two Katter Party MPs have indicated their willingness to allow her government to continue.
If the Labor party holds the seat in the by-election, then the premier’s call will have been vindicated and her position strengthened. If the LNP were to win a subsequent by-election, the government might change. It is just as likely that electors in Cook might figure that the new Labor government deserves a fair go and that the premier’s decisive action is to be respected.If the Labor party holds the seat in the by-election, then the premier’s call will have been vindicated and her position strengthened. If the LNP were to win a subsequent by-election, the government might change. It is just as likely that electors in Cook might figure that the new Labor government deserves a fair go and that the premier’s decisive action is to be respected.
Alternatively, if Gordon refuses to resign, then the premier has positioned the government in the best possible light, given the difficult circumstances. While it is possible that Gordon will side with the LNP opposition on individual votes, the onus would then likely fall on the opposition to, in effect, refuse to accept his vote, as was the case with the Abbott opposition and Thompson.Alternatively, if Gordon refuses to resign, then the premier has positioned the government in the best possible light, given the difficult circumstances. While it is possible that Gordon will side with the LNP opposition on individual votes, the onus would then likely fall on the opposition to, in effect, refuse to accept his vote, as was the case with the Abbott opposition and Thompson.
However the sorry episode plays out, it is a sad day for Aboriginal Australians. Gordon’s election, together with Leanne Enoch, was celebrated Australia wide as two Aboriginal MPs took their place in a state parliament.However the sorry episode plays out, it is a sad day for Aboriginal Australians. Gordon’s election, together with Leanne Enoch, was celebrated Australia wide as two Aboriginal MPs took their place in a state parliament.
Like female leaders, the novelty of Aboriginal MPs means the spotlight and the onus to act as a role model is much stronger than for parliamentarians generally. For these grounds alone, the whole episode is a tragedy. It’s hoped that at least Palaszczuk’s decisive actions will shine a favourable light on her as a female leader.Like female leaders, the novelty of Aboriginal MPs means the spotlight and the onus to act as a role model is much stronger than for parliamentarians generally. For these grounds alone, the whole episode is a tragedy. It’s hoped that at least Palaszczuk’s decisive actions will shine a favourable light on her as a female leader.