- The State Opposition Leader in Queensland has suffered a setback after a report emerged that her own party dobbed her in over fundraising concerns
- The Liberal-National Party were reportedly worried about Deb Frecklington’s private dinner held with a property developer earlier this year
- However, the Opposition Leader staunchly denies she did anything wrong and said her party did not report her to the Electoral Commission
- The denial comes as the Liberal-National Party convene in Queensland for a $1500-per-person fundraising event, attended by the Prime Minister
- Frecklington is not the only senior politician being accused of potentially unethical behaviour, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian under fire as well
- The Premier is in hot water for her personal relationship with an MP who she previously sacked for misconduct
The Queensland State Opposition Leader is in hot water after her own party reportedly dobbed her in over fundraising concerns.
Deb Frecklington has staunchly denied an ABC report that she’s being investigated by the Queensland Electoral Commission for potential wrongdoing after she hosted a lunch with a property developer in August.
Fundraiser questions
Many of the guests who attended went on to donate money to the Liberal-National Party coffers, prompting concerns from within that Frecklington may have broken newly tightened donation laws.
The accusation comes just weeks out from the October 31 state election in Queensland — where the LNP aims to topple the current Palaszczuk Labor Government.
But, in a media conference today, the Queensland Opposition Leader said she hadn’t been contacted by anyone from the Commission.
“I haven’t heard from [the Queensland Electoral Commission] at all,” Deb Frecklington said.
“In relation to private dinners, I attend dinners all the time — I’m a politician,” she added.
The LNP is also denying it directly raised concerns about the lunch in August, instead stating it was in contact with the Electoral Commission regularly about a number of different fundraising issues.
The concerns over Deb Frecklington’s lunch with the property developer come as the wider Liberal National Party meet in Brisbane for a fundraiser, attended by Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Tickets to the event began at $399 and went all the way up to $1500 per person, with guests able to mingle with the PM and Opposition Leader over lunch.
NSW & Victoria
Deb Frecklington isn’t the only senior politician being accused of potentially unethical behaviour. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian came under fire yesterday during her Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) appearance.
The NSW Premier was being questioned over her five-year relationship with former MP Daryl Maguire, who she sacked in 2018 after it was revealed he sought payment for a Government property deal.
Despite the MP resigning in disgrace from the Berejiklian Government, the relationship between the pair only ended several months ago when ICAC began another investigation into his personal conduct.
This revelation has sparked calls for her to resign, however, the premier said she’s done nothing wrong and will maintain her position as leader.
Alongside the issues being raised amongst Queensland and NSW political leaders, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has also come under increasing pressure for his team’s handling of the hotel quarantine program.