Labor smear exposed by Union

The credibility of the Queensland Labor Party has been further tarnished, and Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk exposed as a smear merchant, following comments by Queensland Police Union President, Ian Leavers.

Police Minister Jack Dempsey concurred with Mr Leavers’ assessment on Brisbane morning radio that families on the Gold Coast have felt safer since the introduction of new laws and initiatives that enable police to better protect the community.

“The Government is committed to ensuring Queensland is the safest place to live and raise a family and we are delivering new laws and resources to fulfil that pledge,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk was part of a cabinet that was weak on offenders and deaf to the needs of communities, and part of an Opposition that voted for our laws in the Parliament, before flip-flopping and changing their mind.

“Not only has she been exposed as wildly indecisive, she has also revealed herself to be shamelessly opportunistic.

“Her political opportunism knows no bounds. While we expect Labor to sling mud at us parliamentarians, her shameful attempts to catch our hard working police in her web of smear is something altogether different.

“As Police Minister, I’m infinitely proud of the hard work our dedicated officers are doing to make Queensland the safest state in the country.

“Indeed, the Report on Government Services (ROGS) showed Queensland’s police to be among the best in the nation.

“Recently, we’ve introduced the nation’s toughest laws against hooning, and we’ve increased the penalties for firearms offences, assaulting police, murder, drug offences, to name but a few.

“The comments of the Police Union President, Mr Leavers demonstrate that our laws are making the Gold Coast and Queensland safer for officers and residents.

Mr Dempsey said the comments from the Union President also included a call for Annastacia Palaszczuk to apologise for her misleading statements about police intimidation.

“Annastacia is playing dog whistle politics with the jobs of our serving frontline police officers,” he said.

“I join Ian Leavers in calling on the Labor leader to apologise for her statements against the Queensland Police Service.

“If she has any respect for the men and women of the service, she will apologise.

“The Opposition Leader has once again shown herself to be lacking in both judgment and integrity.”

“The Opposition Leader has once again shown she has neither the qualities nor attributes of someone ready to lead Queensland.”

[ENDS] 17 April 2014                                               

Media Contact: Callum Stewart 0403 925 703