REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, January 15, 2004

THE once-promising ministerial career of Tourism Minister Merri Rose was shattered but the Currumbin MP said she felt ”comfortable” with her decision to quit the Beattie Cabinet.

Ms Rose quit her ministerial position after a bullying claim was upheld and allegations she had ordered a former staff member to

falsify ministerial expenses were referred to the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

After a sombre 90-minute meeting with Premier Peter Beattie, Ms Rose decided to resign as a minister but continue with her battle for re-election in Currumbin while she fights the allegations.

Back in her Tugun home, Ms Rose said that after two years of vicious personal attacks and scurrilous allegations she had decided to walk away.

“I suppose you know in your heart when enough is enough, and enough damage has been done, not only to myself but to my family. It is time to move on,” Ms Rose said.

“The political reality is that no matter how unjust it all is, it is damaging to the Government.”

It came on day two of the election campaign with Mr Beattie himself on the Gold Coast trying to convince voters to re-elect Ms Rose, who ultimately failed in her re-election bid at the 2004 poll.