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Wednesday, April 8, 2015
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State’s focus shifts to Cook
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with Cook Shire Council Mayor Peter Scott, who says Billy Gordon should resign from parliament, as he has lost the trust of the electorate. (Photo courtesy of Cook Shire Council)
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By Carl Portella
flying visits by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to Cooktown and Mossman (along with Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg’s visit to Mareeba) last week have shed little light on what will happen next in the Billy Gordon saga. They were both in the Cook electorate canvassing the mood of voters as to whether or not they think Mr Gordon should resign. Reports suggest that Billy Gordon won’t resign from parliament, but he has left the door open to such a move, if necessary, in the future. As such, Billy is here to stay it would seem, after ringing endorsements by Noel Pearson on ABC’s Lateline, who stated that Billy can legally remain in parliament as Member for Cook; and it’s a matter for the voters of Cook to decide. “It’s not up to the Premier or the speaker, or the opposition to demand his resignation from parliament, it’s up to the people of Cape York to decide at the next poll,” he said. In what state does that leave the business community throughout the electorate? The seat of Cook has a vast geographical area which includes the Gulf and Torres Strait. But one must not forget that it also encompasses the highly populated areas of Cooktown, Mareeba, Mossman and Port Douglas. After all the allegations, how seriously will Mr Gordon be taken in a roll that demands accountability, integrity and leadership? Questions are now being asked as to how effective he will be as the Member for Cook. His position is now compromised. Who will invite Mr Gordon to speak at a high school presentation night? Or a community function in the Cook electorate, with those allegations hanging over his head. Needless to say, it appears Billy’s election victory came as a huge surprise, even to him. So much so, that he was on his way to the ALP celebrations in Cairns when he got confirmation of victory. An overwhelming anti-Newman sentiment across the state on January 31, drove voters to the best alternative, coupled with preferences, easily put Labor in a strong position to win, regardless of the name on the ballot paper. Putting it bluntly, if Daffy Duck was running for Labor, Daffy Duck would have won. The Mareeba Chamber of Commerce had invited the Member for Cook, Billy Gordon, to address the Chamber members at a luncheon on April 29, 2015. In light of the recent allegations involving Mr Gordon, the Chamber has canvassed its members; and now do not believe it appropriate for him to address the luncheon. President of The Mareeba Chamber of Commerce Joe Moro said: “Our Chamber is seriously concerned that our community’s wishes and issues will not be adequately delivered by a Member of Parliament who no-longer has the support of communities in Cook and members of the Queensland Parliament. “With this in mind, we have now respectfully written to the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, to request her presence at the Luncheon on the April 29, in Mr Gordon’s place. “We have asked her to attend to address the business community of Mareeba and people of Cook and answer some of their serious concerns. “As one of the larger populated towns in the Cook electorate, The Mareeba Chamber of Commerce will continue to support our members and the wider community to ensure a prosperous and fair future for all in Mareeba and the electorate of Cook.” Tom Gilmore, Mayor of the Mareeba Shire Council, has many years of experience in state politics, as both a government minister and sitting member of parliament. Here, he sheds some light on to the question: Who is qualified to be a member of Parliament? “The question of who is qualified to be a Member of Parliament in Queensland is clearly outlined in the Parliament of Queensland Act,” he said. Continued page 3
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