Newman steps up attack on Opposition Sarah Elks Reporter Brisbane AUSTRALIAN JANUARY 25, 2015 PREMIER Campbell Newman now says “Queenslanders” are telling him of links between bikies, “certain” trade unions and Labor, in an escalation of his attack on the Opposition. Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk has condemned the allegations as ridiculous and baseless, but Mr Newman has continued his assault. After failing to provide evidence of the alleged links yesterday and telling reporters to “Google” it, Mr Newman today said it was Queenslanders providing him with the intelligence. “As I go round the state, people say to me, we know unions and criminal gangs have a close association, they’ve seen that, they understand that,” Mr Newman said. “And they know also that the bikies are backing the Labor party. They’re saying to me, “Be strong. We want to see a government that wants to protect us, keep us safe.” I say to people you have a choice. If you’re concerned about the Labor Party’s position which is weak on law and order, weak on criminal motorcycle gangs, then there’s only one choice in this election, Vote 1, LNP.” But he quibbled when asked whether he was telling those Queenslanders to report their concerns and knowledge to police or to the Royal Commission into trade unions. And asked whether he was concerned Queenslanders would see his claims as a “crazy conspiracy theory”, he said “not at all”. “I think Queenslanders ... know the linkages between certain unions and criminal motorcycle gangs, they know that the Labor party gets wads of cash from the unions ... and they know ... that the Labor Party has been backed by criminal gangs,” he said. “And they will make their decision on Saturday, 31st of January.” Mr Newman is using the allegations to remind Queenslanders of the government’s controversial anti-bikie legislation, which Labor has pledged to repeal. And they come after Mr Newman sued broadcaster Alan Jones for defamation suggesting his government was swayed by mining company donations to approve a coal mine expansion in Queensland’s Darling Downs. Mr Newman has previously been critical of the negative campaign run by then-Premier Anna Bligh in 2012, which he described as characterised by baseless claims and allegations against him. Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has continued his assault on Labor. Picture: Jack Tran/The Courier Mail Source: News Corp Australia
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 01:44:09 +0000
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