The Palaszczuk Labor Government will attempt to repeal the successful VLAD laws in Parliament
· Speaker Peter Wellington has well-documented links to bikie gang members
· Mr Wellington’s impartiality is at risk and he should excuse himself from the debate
Queenslanders will expect nothing less than full, impartial debate on the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s proposal to weaken Queensland’s tough criminal gang laws, the LNP Opposition has declared.
Acting Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek has today written to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Peter Wellington asking him confirm that he will abstain from chairing and voting on the repeal of the VLAD laws.
“It is clear to us and to the community that a cloud now hangs over Speaker Peter Wellington’s ability to impartially chair and vote on the repeal of the VLAD laws,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Mr Wellington has well-publicised links to convicted former Rebels gang members and his only statement since this revelation would lead Queenslanders to doubt his impartiality on the existing criminal gang laws that keep our streets safe.
“Queenslanders deserve to have a parliamentary debate where impartiality is beyond question over proposals to weaken criminal gang laws.
“Premier Palaszczuk and Mr Wellington have been strident campaigners for increased integrity and accountability of the Parliament – it’s now time they were judged by their own yard stick.
“Mr Wellington must now make it very clear before Parliament sits again that on this particular debate his will excuse himself.”
Mr Langbroek said Mr Wellington’s links to convicted criminals cast doubt over Premier Palaszczuk’s judgement.
“Last week a former member of the Rebels motorcycle gang, Mike Smith, was sentenced to almost eight years jail for drug offences, including trafficking methyl amphetamine,” he said.
“Mr Smith was a strong supporter of Mr Wellington’s campaign against the LNP Government’s existing criminal laws
“The question for Premier Palaszczuk is now: does she think Mr Wellington is able to impartially chair and vote on her repeal of the VLAD laws? – because the LNP doesn’t.”