Dismissing Bates’ bait
THE gloves are off with LNP frontbencher Ros Bates and rookie Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon trading political blows about policing in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
The young lawyer is the ALP’s only State representative on the Coast and until her parliamentary maiden speech last month, had been spared from personal attacks from LNP MPs.
But Ms Bates has targeted Ms Scanlon after being frustrated by the Labor Government’s failure to stop hooning.
The Mudgeeraba MP wrote to Transport Minister Mark Bailey in late February asking for CCTV cameras at a Numinbah Valley intersection renowned for speedsters.
Mr Bailey wrote back saying the installation of such cameras was cost prohibitive.
Ms Bates then accused Ms Scanlon of failing to support improved security measures at the Nerang police station, a few blocks from the new MP’s electorate office.
“Meaghan Scanlon is nowhere to be seen in Gaven and four months after the election, she still hasn’t made the time to meet her senior sergeant to talk about keeping police safe,” Ms Bates said.
Queensland’s youngest female MP did not hold back when asked for comment.
“As the daughter of a former Gold Coast police officer I know how important the safety of our community and officers is,” Ms Scanlon said.
“That’s why in January I met with the senior sergeant at Nerang – that’s why I continue to have regular conversations with him.
“Frankly, if Ros Bates can’t keep up with who I’ve been meeting, that’s a matter for her. I will continue to meet our men and women in blue who show such commitment to keeping our community safe.”
Ms Scanlon offered to show Ms Bates her diary dates.
“Since Ms Bates is having trouble keeping up with my diary, here’s a taste,” she said.
“Yesterday I held two mobile offices in Pacific Pines and Carrara and on Friday I met with constituents in my electorate office, held a mobile office for the residents at Earle Haven Retirement Village and attended the Preece House Gallery opening of Aboriginal Portraiture in Nerang.
“The Gold Coast needs positive, proactive representatives in government who get things done.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan has assured residents that both high visibility and covert police operations are occurring on trouble-spot roads in the Hinterland, including the notorious intersection.
A spokesman for Mr Ryan said the council, the DMR and Gold Coast police were “continually implementing additional engineering and environmental strategies in hotspot areas to address irresponsible road use”.