September 9, 2018
This week, four diligent parliamentary staffers lost their jobs through no fault of their own. They were all doing excellent work in non-political roles, supporting KAP’s parliamentarians and QLD constituents.
However, Annastacia Palaszczuk and the LNP wanted to punish Katter’s Australian Party because the Party has a different immigration policy stance to the major parties’ views.
Robbie Katter, Shane Knuth and Nick Dametto have now referred the premier to the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission for investigation due to a potential breach of the criminal code by using threats to influence a Member of Parliament. Under the code an officer of government cannot intimidate or threaten a member of parliament in any way, particularly with financial resources, which the Premier has clearly done. Three other members of parliament have also been referred including, opposition leader, Deb Frecklington, her deputy opposition leader, Tim Mander and LNP Member for Warrego, Ann Leahy.
No matter what your view, Queensland should not have to tolerate the blatant hypocrisy of Labor and the LNP working together to try and curb free speech and shut down debate on important issues such as immigration. Minor parties exist to ensure that everyone can have their say, and to provide equal and fair representation for all Queenslanders in Parliament.
The implications of this move effect Regional Australia’s right to an equal say, democracy in Queensland politics, and more directly the four staff members who have now lost their jobs.
The three parliamentary workers, John Merriman, Conor O’Brien and Brad Tassell as well as Electorate officer Jo Feirclough are hard-working Queenslanders who work tirelessly for the constituents in their electorates.
They all have bills, mortgages and families to support and through no doing of their own have now been stripped of their right to earn a living. They have now set up a GoFundMe page to aid them temporarily until they are able to find other means of work. All proceeds will go towards the fired workers. If you would like to help towards their campaign you can find the page here gf.me/u/k4h8m6
No matter what the major parties throw at Katter’s Australian Party our number one priority has been and will remain ensuring that all Queenslanders have an equal voice. We believe in free speech and a fair go.
With your help can we keep up the good fight.
Shane Paulger
KAP President