LNP to target Scanlon over DV comments
THE LNP is poised to letterbox bomb the Gold Coast with a dirt sheet on Labor’s domestic violence policies.
Specifically targeting rookie MP Meaghan Scanlon, the political offensive includes distribution of inflammatory leaflets to every home in her Gaven electorate.
The leaflets include a photograph of Ms Scanlon with headlines about her voting in parliament to give domestic violence offenders 10days taxpayer-funded leave.
Asking taxpayers “How can you vote for Labor”, the leaflets contain newspaper quotes about “wife bashers are getting paid to take DV leave”.
“Send (Premier Annastacia) Palaszczuk a message – victims should come first,” the LNP leaflet says.
The ALP is furious about the campaign because it argues the Opposition gave bipartisan support to DV reforms and paid leave would only occur in special circumstances where counselling was needed.
The Premier last week announced the rules would be tightened so perpetrators were not allowed to access leave for court purposes, and had to access all holiday and sick pay leave first.
Ms Scanlon was the only Coast MP to speak during a recent DV debate, during which she argued that recognised community leaders believed that without addressing the behaviour of violent offenders, the cycle of domestic violence could not be broken.
“If providing paid leave to those who use power and control in their relationships prevents further harm and facilitates access to treatment, then it is a policy that both sides of the House should support,” she told Parliament.
Asked yesterday for a response to the LNP’s campaign, Ms Scanlon said: “I’m not going to politicise domestic violence. I’m committed to do what works.”
Opposition spokeswoman for health and women Ros Bates said she was “horrified” to learn Ms Scanlon supported taxpayer-funded leave for domestic violence perpetrators.
“No one denies the importance of rehabilitating offenders, but they should be doing it in their own time at their own expense,” she said.