REMEMBER WHEN

DEPUTY Premier Tom Burns urged parents to teach their children about the corruption during the National Party’s reign “so they can be better informed on polling day”.

His remarks drew strong criticism from Opposition leader and Surfers Paradise MP Rob Borbidge who accused Mr Burns of resorting to “gutter tactics”.

“I think it is a pretty low act,” he said. “People will make up their own minds.”

Launching Labor’s campaign for the seat of Archerfield, Mr Burns urged parents to inform their children who were not of voting age during the era the National Party’s corruption was exposed.

He said they would be too young to remember the Fitzgerald Inquiry and the reasons why the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) was formed.

“Only by knowing about the corrupt National Party era can young people make a decision about whether they wish to return to the darkest days of their rule,” he said.

“They should remember the worst pork barrelling that meant government money was targeted towards areas that voted National. People of my generation will never ... but a percentage of the voting population were far too young to remember.”

Nationals party director Ken Crooke responded sharply.

“Mr Burns has lost his political nous,” Mr Crooke said. “What a disgusting way for the Deputy Premier to behave.”

He said it was wrong to suggest Labor politicians had a clean slate.

Burleigh MP Judy Gamin said Mr Burns should focus on contemporary issues.