Shocking Attitude Of Ipswich MP Typical Of LNP Government

Media Release.

Ipswich West MP Sean Choat’s offensive and outrageous claim that he is happy to be known as a “Stalinist” should strike fear into the heart of every south-east Queensland resident who believed a vote for him was a vote for democratic government

Bundamba MP Jo-Ann Miller said Mr Choat’s odious statement today was possibly the most repulsive made so far on the Newman government’s new laws in regard to outlaw gangs but typified the attitude of a Premier and Attorney-General who were determined to transport Queensland back three decades.

“Sean Choat has captured the philosophy of this government in one fell swoop – a government that believes it can dictate how the court sentences criminals, a government that has little concept of how the legal system works, led by a Premier who has lost the plot,” Mrs Miller said.

“This MP in particular has no idea what he is talking about. He is merely parroting lines prepared for him by the Premier who also has no clue about the separation of powers and the need for an independent judicial system."

“Ordinary, decent people – people with a conscience – are right to be offended that Mr Choat wants to be seen as a Stalinist and they should be horrified that he describes the separation of powers between government and the judiciary as “claptrap”.

“Mr Choat and the Premier may have forgotten or never known the lessons from the Fitzgerald Inquiry that found Liberal and National party governments had presided over rampant corruption."

“They should take a history lesson and learn how badly corruption got out of control courtesy of a Premier and government who also had no knowledge of the separation of power. It’s critical that the separation of powers is maintained. It’s critical that the judiciary maintains its independence."

“It is not the Premier’s place, it is not the Attorney-General’s place and it is certainly not Mr Choat’s place to dictate to the courts how they should be sentencing people convicted of criminal offences.

“His draconian attitude is helping in no uncertain terms to take Queensland back to the dark Joh era of 25 years ago."

“As he continues to toe the government’s line – blissfully ignorant of the past – I suggest he read up on history to learn what became of the Bjelke-Petersen government and the consequences of that government."

“I’m sure Ipswich residents did not realise they were voting at the last election for a person who calls himself a Stalinist – but they will now be aware of his disgraceful attitude the next time they come to vote.”