Queensland Premier Steven Miles has apologized to the state parliament over serious allegations he misled parliament by denying he sent a text message to another Labor MP.
Mr Miles denied sending a text message to fellow Labor MP Ali King last October over an issue the opposition had called a “corruption risk” – but an alleged photo of the message later emerged.
On February 14, during his first parliamentary session as Prime Minister after replacing Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Prime Minister was asked a very pointed question by LNP MP Michael Hart.
Mr Hart asked Mr Miles to confirm that “he did not send a text message to Ms King between 10am and 11.30am on October 11.”
The Prime Minister replied curtly: “I thank the member for Burleigh. I can.’
Queensland Premier Steven Miles apologizes to state parliament over serious allegations he misled parliament by denying he sent a text message to another Labor MP
Queensland Premier Steven Miles (pictured) could be in big trouble as he is referred to the Speaker of Parliament over allegations he misled the body via text message
Mr Miles denied sending a text message to Labor MP Ali King last October, but an alleged photo of the message later emerged. The text of the alleged message is shown
But the Courier mail published a photo on Monday evening, first revealed on Nine News by reporter Tim Arvier, which appeared to indicate that the text in question had been sent at 10.44am that day, instructing Mrs King on what to do in Parliament if response to the issue and read, in part: “You could stand and say (stand up on an issue of privilege that suddenly arises).”
Mrs. King was then seen standing up in Parliament and carrying out the instructions from the text.
On Tuesday morning, Mr Miles addressed state parliament through a process known as a ‘matter of privilege’ to ‘update the record’.
‘I have understood and, to the best of my recollection, answered (Mr Hart’s) question regarding compliance with the right to information requirements.
“However, last night it was brought to my attention that a photo had been taken in the room,” at the time.
“The text message was from six months ago and I couldn’t remember it at the time.
“I would therefore like to correct the data and apologize for the error,” Mr Miles said.
Mr Hart stood up in response to Mr Miles’ statement and said: ‘I do not accept the apology’, and was removed from the chamber for an hour by chairman Curtis Pitt.
At the time, he sent word that a social media post in which Mrs King said voters could send applications for a job at a new hospital to her electorate email was deemed a “corruption risk” by the opposition Liberal National Party named.
“You can subscribe to be notified when they are listed, or you can also email your resume to my office and Metro North will have me email them through so they are kept on file,” Ms. King said in a Facebook post in October.
She added, “But honestly, if you do, I would apply through SmartJobs as well.”
Then Prime Minister Palaszczuk later told Parliament it was probably “not appropriate” for Ms King to have held the post.
When Miles was told about the photo of the text on Monday, he initially said he had simply forgotten about it when asked about it in parliament four months later.
“I answered, as I always do, as far as I can remember,” he said.
Miles will reportedly apologize in parliament on Tuesday for previously saying he had not sent a text message to MP Ali King (pictured) on October 11.
“If my recollection was incorrect, I will correct the record and apologize at the earliest opportunity, as is customary in the parliamentary process.”
Deputy LNP leader Jarrod Bleijie said there are serious questions about the prime minister’s integrity.
“The Prime Minister’s lies will be prosecuted in Parliament,” he said. “The next steps will depend on whether he continues to lie or not.”
Ms King told parliament on Tuesday that she had referred the photo of her text to the Ethics Commission.
“This is a serious violation of the rights and privileges of a member of this House,” she said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms King for comment.
