Member criticised for doing her job during Haven crisis

I AM absolutley appalled by criticism the Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon, has received from both Ron Nightingale and the newly elected Member for Moncrieff, Angie Bell.

Mr Nightingale in last Saturday’s paper criticised Ms Scanlon for standing behind the State Health Minister nodding her head in agreement.

No mention of the fact she was there following up on what had happened the night before, when, by the way, she was there for more than four hours helping staff and emergency services because a crisis happened in her electorate. At the least, the Member for Gaven was there.

She was not point scoring, she was doing her job of looking out for people in her electorate.

In Thursday’s paper Mr Nightingale stated that he noticed on Ms Scanlon’s Facebook page that she had “suddenly changed her focus” to another issue.

One, other issues don’t cease to be when another gets more attention, and secondly, if he is following Ms Scanlon on Facebook he would see all the good she is doing, but don’t mention anything about that!

Then he had the audacity to ask if Ms Scanlon was going to be at a meeting that Ms Bell, was attending!

Why hasn’t he asked Ms Bell where was she when the crisis unfolded and why had it taken her nearly a week to attend a meeting. Oh that’s right, she was busy at a photo opportunity on the M1 because other issues don’t cease to be.

As for the two of them suggesting that Ms Scanlon is playing politics and trying to points score is absolutely ludicrous.

The member for Gaven is a dedicated hard-working politician who actually cares about her electorate.

There was an article in the Bulletin recently that stated that the Member for Gaven is the only sitting member who gets on with her local councillor and that there are traditionally LNP voting businessmen who would be more than happy to see her re-elected.

Those two comments speak for themselves.

Mr Nightingale stated what he would do if he was a politician. Well he’s not. He’s a failed candidate.

And as for Ms Bell, as she stated in Friday’s paper, is a brand new MP. A brand new MP who has a lot to learn. Especially about the people of the Gold Coast, who, like the rest of Australia are sick of political sniping and don’t take kindly to someone being criticised for something someone else is not doing.