LNP volunteer to face ‘disciplinary process’
AN LNP volunteer accused of writing vile social media posts about Gaven Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon will face a “disciplinary process”, a party spokesman says.
The Bulletin revealed how the volunteer, working on the LNP campaign in Gaven, made comments in Facebook forums alleging that Ms Scanlon had used her disabled brother to build her profile and branded her a “slut”.
The LNP’s immediate response was the volunteer had been stood down from the campaign.
A party spokesman said the posts were “unacceptable in every way, shape and form”.
“(The volunteer) has been taken off the campaign,” he said. “He has been suspended and will face a disciplinary process.”
The LNP’s code of behaviour states possible outcomes could include counselling, a formal apology, a formal warning, suspension or party expulsion.
The same code of behaviour classes sexually explicit social media posts, stalking and “obscene communications” as sexual harassment.
Senior Labor minister Di Farmer said: “Deb Frecklington needed to act swiftly and decisively against this LNP volunteer and his disrespect for women.
“This is a black and white decision with not an ounce of grey in between. As a leader, Deb Frecklington should be setting the example. The standard Deb Frecklington walks past is the standard she accepts – the very clear message she is sending is it’s OK to disrespect women.”
Ms Scanlon, after a debate on Sky News on Friday with LNP candidate Kirsten Jackson, has urged voters to take her opponent’s advice.
Ms Scanlon said Ms Jackson had encouraged the electorate to judge the LNP on their past performance as an indicator of what a future LNP government would do.
“We know Deb Frecklington and the LNP have $26bn in unfunded promises, and haven’t laid out their plans on how they would meet their own budget goals,” Ms Scanlon said.
She said the LNP when last in power had sacked 4400 health staff across the state, cut 500 teacher positions and 700 support staff, and stopped planning work on the second M1.