Difficult times for new Queensland Government

Difficult times for new Queensland GovernmentThe recently elected Queensland Government is facing an uncertain future after new Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was forced to request the resignation of one of her MPs.The Queensland Premier has written to the ALP requesting that Member for Cook Bill Gordon be expelled from the party following the revelation of the MPs previously undisclosed criminal charges.Ms Palaszczuk won 44 seats of 89 seats in January’s state election and formed government with support of independent Peter Wellington.Should Mr Gordon leave parliament a by-election would be required to fill that seat, the outcome of which has the potential to reverse the balance of power.The situation remains uncertain with Mr Gordon initially rejecting calls to resign.Questions have been put as to whether the Premier would accept Mr Gordon’s vote, should he choose to remain in parliament as an independent, and how this would affect the passage of government legislation.The Premier has stated publicly that “The Government will continue to function.”The Property Council continues our engagement with the Palaszczuk Government to pursue our advocacy priorities of planning and tax reform.