On the Edge !

The Queensland State Labor government is teetering on the edge of losing it's majority now that Premier Annastacia  Palaszczuk has sacked Billy Gordon from her party.   It seems that this newly elected member has a long criminal history that includes break and enter offences,  breach of probation and bail conditions, two suspended driving license incidents and now there are claims that he may face domestic violence charges.   Incredibly, none of this surfaced when the Labor administration conducted it's research to select candidates to represent the party at the last Queensland state election.

Premier Palaszczuk is incensed that Billy Gordon deceived her and has called on him to resign from parliament.  He admits that he faced many challenges as "a young indigenous boy " and this situation is unprecedented.   The choice of resigning or remaining in parliament is purely up to Mr Gordon to decide - and that leaves many questions unanswered.

Billy Gordon's past is seeing him cast out from membership of the Labor party, but it in no way precludes him from remaining a member of parliament.  He could continue to hold his seat as an independent and if he chose to vote along Labor lines the government could survive.  On the other hand, if he remains and switches allegiances to the opposition that would create an interesting " numbers game "involving the two Katter's Party seat holders.   It seems that the fate of the Queensland parliament rests in Billy Gordon's hands.

The reaction of the Queensland public will be interesting.   That fact that Billy Gordon has an indigenous background may work in his favour.   Some may see him as an underprivileged young man who overcame diversity to rise and become an elected member of parliament - who should be forgiven youthful sins.   It is quite possible that his cause will be taken up by the Queensland indigenous community and he may emerge as an indigenous leader.  It is certain that his criminal history will be dissected - item by item - and the severity of each crime questioned.

There are clear rules that apply to whoever sits in a parliament.  Those that have been convicted and served a prison term of a given length are automatically excluded, as are people whose affairs are held in bankruptcy, but lesser matters are merely at the discretion of the voting public.  In recent times, a parliamentary member convicted of drink driving is seen as committing a serious ethical offence and any sort of marital discord is a sure turn off for the public.

The main impetus of this sudden and unexpected turn of events will be to shine the spotlight on the ALP's selection of candidate's process.   How did this criminal activity escape scrutiny ?   What other secrets are lurking in the past of others, waiting to spring a surprise and perhaps terminally change the numbers game ?   And the biggest question of all ?   Who is responsible ?

This is not the first time that a state parliament has been rocked by an unexpected disclosure and party selection committees have taken steps to make sure that their candidates are "squeaky clean ". Apparently, that has not extended to the processes in Queensland, and now the party is paying a heavy price for that laxity.   There is every expectation that the fate of the government will play out like a Hollywood soap opera !