Startling revelations/media reports that Queensland Shadow Minister for the Environment, Stephen Bennett, leaked information about new environmental laws to the Queensland Resources Council raise serious questions about the influence of mining over the State's Opposition.
The alleged leak of the Government's Chain of Responsibility law, or part thereof, has been referred to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee. It is understood Mr Bennett has apologised to the Parliament for this action.
Lock the Gate president, Drew Hutton, said an apology by Mr Bennett was insufficient, if proven these allegation would represent represents a serious breach of parliamentary rules and a subverting of democracy.
Lock the Gate Alliance has called for the Shadow Minister Bennett to abstain from the parliamentary vote today on the bill that is subject to Parliamentary Ethics Committee investigation.
"A leak of government law to the Queensland Resources Council is not a simply lapse of judgement, it undermines our democracy and raises serious questions about whether the LNP has been compromised.
"We're calling for Stephen Bennett to abstain from the vote that is likely today on the Chain of Responsibility Bill, which is designed to hold mining executives to account, because he has been hopelessly compromised by the exposure of this leak to the mining industry.
"The Newman era was characterised by decision after decision that gave special favour to the mining industry over the rights of the community. Voters rejected this cosy relationship by voting the party out of government but it seems bad habits die hard.
"I have to ask: what is the level of influence exercised by the mining industry on the LNP?
"Do they write policy on mining for the party?
"One thing is certain, they left concerns about farmers behind them a long time ago, and are now acting directly contrary to the best interests of their constituents," he said.