Media release
The Palmer United Party will refer controversial Queensland LNP parliamentarian Ray Stevens to the Senate Inquiry into the activities of the Newman Government, says the party’s federal leader and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer.
Mr Palmer said the role of Mr Stevens, the Government Leader of the House and MP for the Gold Coast seat of Mermaid Beach, with a proposed cableway project in the Gold Coast Hinterland had a “serious toxic stench”.
“The Palmer United Party will be referring the Ray Stevens matter to the ongoing Senate Inquiry into the Queensland Government headed by our Senate leader and Senator for Queensland, Senator Glenn Lazarus,” Mr Palmer said.
“How can Mr Stevens be an investor and advisor to this controversial Gold Coast project while being a local Member of Parliament and leader of the Government in state parliament?
“This seems a clear conflict of interest yet Campbell Newman has thrown his support behind Mr Stevens and says the Integrity Commissioner has given him the all clear.
“It looks like a blatant favour to Mr Stevens, a former Gold Coast Mayor who behaved disgracefully when questioned about this serious issue by the media this week.
“The Stevens saga is a typical example of the Newman government doing favours for mates.
“But the Palmer United Party is determined to pursue this matter further at the Senate Inquiry into the Queensland Government. It’s time to put an end to this rubbish.”
Mr Palmer said the voters of Mermaid Beach also had the opportunity on January 31 to take action against Mr Stevens.
“The people of Mermaid Beach have the chance to replace Ray Stevens with the Palmer United Party’s Alex Caraco, a man of honour and integrity,” he said.
Mr Palmer said the Senate Inquiry into the Newman Government was playing a key role in addressing public concerns about the Government’s activities and decisions.
“There is no Upper House in Queensland and therefore the role of the senators in investigating the Newman Government is crucial for ensuring accountability,” he said.
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