Queensland Premier Steven Miles is at risk of being referred to the state speaker over serious allegations he misled parliament over a text message sent to another Labor MP.
Miles denied sending a text message to his Labor colleague Ali King last October about an issue the opposition had branded a “corruption risk”, but an alleged photo of the message subsequently emerged.
On February 14, in his first parliamentary session as Prime Minister after taking over from Annastacia Palaszczuk, he was asked a very pointed question by LNP MP Michael Hart.
Mr Hart asked Mr Miles to confirm that he “did not send an SMS” to Ms King between 10am and 11.30am on October 11.
The Prime Minister replied curtly: ‘I thank the member for Burleigh. Can.’
Queensland Premier Steven Miles (pictured) could be in deep trouble and could be referred to the Speaker over allegations he misled the body with a text message.
Miles denied sending a text message to Labor MP Ali King last October, but an alleged photo of the message subsequently emerged. The text of the alleged message appears in the photo.
But mail has published a photo first revealed on Nine News by journalist Tim Arvier last night which appears to show the text in question was sent at 10.44am that day, instructing Mrs King on what to do in parliament in response to the topic and reading, in part: ‘You could stand up and say (stand up over a suddenly arising issue of privilege).’
Mrs. King was later seen ascending to Parliament and carrying out the instructions seen in the text.
Miles will reportedly apologize in Parliament on Tuesday for previously saying he did not text King on October 11.
At the time, the opposition Liberal National Party called a social media post in which Ms King said constituents could send job applications at a new hospital to their constituent email a “corruption risk”.
“You can sign up to be notified when they are listed, or you can also email your CV to my office and Metro North allows me to email them to keep them on file,” Ms King said in a Facebook post on October.
He added, “But frankly, if you’re doing that, I’d also apply through SmartJobs.”
Then Prime Minister Palaszczuk later told Parliament that it was probably “not appropriate for Mrs King to serve in the role”.
When told about the text photo, Miles said he had simply forgotten about it when asked about it in parliament four months later.
“I responded, as I always do, based on what I remember,” he said.
“If my recollection is incorrect, I will correct the record and apologize as soon as possible, as is the proper parliamentary process.”
LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie said there were 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 or not he continues to lie.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Miles and Ms King for comment.
Miles will reportedly apologize in parliament on Tuesday for previously saying he did not send a text message to MP Ali King (pictured) on October 11.
