Premier behind journo gag bill push

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk personally pushed for laws gagging the media from reporting corruption allegations during election periods, despite having earlier warned they could allow corruption to flourish by striking down whistleblowers.

The laws were dropped less than a day after the government rushed them into parliament declaring it an “urgent bill” that needed to be in place for the October state election.

The about-face came as key proponents failed to back them, the Local Government Association of Queensland calling for journalists’ protections and Crime and Corruption Commission head Alan Macsporran silent on the issue.

It is understood the laws did not have the universal support of cabinet and some ministers did not understand that they specifically targeted journalists, rather than people who might make baseless allegations for political reasons.

They had the potential to gag the reporting of allegations currently before the CCC concerning South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad. It is understood the Premier and Deputy Premier Steven Miles had pushed for the laws after the CCC asked last month for a new offence prohibiting the publicising of allegations of corrupt conduct or that a complaint had been, or would be, made to the CCC during a state or local government election period.

The laws were specifically drawn up to target the publication of allegations by newspapers, radio, television, online news media and on social media, but would have allowed candidates to tell constituents. The penalty would have been six months’ jail, or a $6672 fine.

The laws, introduced to parliament at 12.16pm on Thursday, were scrapped at 9.24am yesterday. Ms Palaszczuk did not answer questions, however, a spokesman said the bill would not be reintroduced.