GOLD COAST BULLETIN

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

CLAIMS levelled at the Palmer United Party were referred to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee after Burleigh MP Michael Hart tabled records of a phone conversation he told parliament was between himself and a PUP adviser.

Mr Hart said a voice recording confirmed his earlier claim PUP member Jim Macanally made an open-ended offer to leave the LNP and form a new Queensland Opposition.

Mr Hart told parliament that Mr Macanally’s words: “So what would I have to offer you for you to come over and join the Palmer United?”, constituted a bribe.

He said the offer was made specifically to “change the recognised official opposition”, and was therefore illegal.

“It would also give you the opportunity to run at the next state election as one of our leading candidates for the state campaign and we will support you fully, 100 per cent, which I know that the LNP and Liberal Party don’t do,” the recording said.

But Clive Palmer said Mr Macanally was not a party official and had not done anything wrong.

“They were having a discussion and he said, ‘What will it take to have you join the Palmer United Party?’,’’ he said.

“He was referring to, ‘Would you want to be endorsed for the seat of Burleigh?’. He wasn’t offering anyone anything. He wasn’t authorised to do that. He’s not an official of our party.

“He’s just a party member.’’ According to the recording, Mr Hart replied: “You know I am a pretty blunt person Jim and quite frankly there is nothing you can offer me.”