MP to Palaszczuk: ‘Sexism writ large’
A GOLD Coast state MP is accusing the Premier of “sexism writ large” after she dubbed his selfie session with friends in the House as a “late-night rendezvous”.
Member for Surfers Paradise John-paul Langbroek hosted Gold Coasters including real estate titans, a restaurateur couple and 2021 Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year “Entrepreneur” winner Tamika Smith in Parliament this week.
He posted their selfies in the House and around the Speaker’s chair online. When Mr Langbroek was grilling Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk about social housing in Question Time she replied: “I enjoyed looking at the member’s photos he posted of his late-night rendezvous”. She promptly withdrew it amid a storm of criticism – including from the women hosted.
Mr Langbroek also posted a selfie with just the males in the group, noting after: “Isn’t it funny, this isn’t a ‘late-night rendezvous’?
“Only if it’s with the ladies according to @annastaciamp. Same night. Same place. Same group. The partners. Sexism writ large.”
Fellow LNP MP Sam O’connor, the Member for Bonney, was also in the photos and told the parliament Ms Smith was there to listen to a speech he was giving about her effort to build a house for the children of Kelly Wilkinson, a young mum killed in his electorate.
Ms Smith has been the driving force behind unification of the Gold Coast construction industry to build a new free home for the children of Ms Wilkinson, taken on by her sister Danielle and partner Rhys.
Ms Smith, who is behind My Bella Casa providing affordable homes, told the Bulletin on Thursday night: “I was there to attend Sam’s speech. My intent is to deliver affordable housing to those that need it most and I look forward to working with both sides of parliament to see this through.”
The other people in the photos with Mr Langbroek and Mr O’connor included respected Mamasan restaurateur Lauren Duitsch, her husband JP Duitsch, respected real estate industry brothers Luke and Andrew Henderson and fellow real estate professional Brooke Henley-smith, who is married to Andrew.
Mr Duitsch declined to comment, saying “the girls would rather this just go away really”.
The Premier immediately withdrew her comments about the pictures.
Currumbin MP Laura Gerber in the House later said the Premier could also benefit from a committee’s recommendation on more education in order to combat hate and vilification.
“Having sat on the Committee conducting the Inquiry into Serious Vilification and Hate Crimes I was disgusted to hear the Premier judge women based on their looks in this chamber. Likening a visit to parliament from Tamika, Brooke and Lauren with the Members for Surfers Paradise and Bonney to a late night rendezvous – outrageous sexist stereotyping,” she said.
“Tamika is a fierce advocate for women and children fleeing domestic violence, and her work in this space was acknowledged last year when she was named the 2021 Gold Coast Entrepreneur of the Year.”
A spokesperson for the Premier said Ms Palaszczuk’s comments were about the lack of respect for the Speaker’s chair – where the photographs were taken – by a Member of parliament.
“The Premier did not mean any offence and is astonished anyone would interpret what she said as referring to anything other than respect for the Chamber,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Langbroek told the Bulletin on Friday: “I certainly didn’t appreciate it. Meanwhile her spin is pathetic (about the Speaker’s chair).
Isn’t it funny. This isn’t a late-night rendezvous
Mpjohn-paullangbroek