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Campbell Newman 'unethical' for saying MP had a nervous breakdown Campbell Newman 'unethical' for saying MP had a nervous breakdown
(6 months later)
The Queensland premier, Campbell Newman, has been accused of unethical behaviour for tabling a document in parliament that referred to a Labor MP having a nervous breakdown almost two decades ago.The Queensland premier, Campbell Newman, has been accused of unethical behaviour for tabling a document in parliament that referred to a Labor MP having a nervous breakdown almost two decades ago.
In November last year, Newman tabled a file note, from 1996, on Labor health spokeswoman Jo-Ann Miller’s mental health.In November last year, Newman tabled a file note, from 1996, on Labor health spokeswoman Jo-Ann Miller’s mental health.
Miller, who was elected to parliament in February 2000, says she has never suffered a nervous breakdown.Miller, who was elected to parliament in February 2000, says she has never suffered a nervous breakdown.
The Liberal premier tabled the department of justice file again on Thursday after the opposition leader, Annastacia Palaszczuk, asked him, on notice, how he had come across the document.The Liberal premier tabled the department of justice file again on Thursday after the opposition leader, Annastacia Palaszczuk, asked him, on notice, how he had come across the document.
“I understand the document [the contents of which are attached] was submitted by a private citizen, who provided an assurance the information provided was correct,” Newman said in his statement.“I understand the document [the contents of which are attached] was submitted by a private citizen, who provided an assurance the information provided was correct,” Newman said in his statement.
Palaszczuk said she was considering whether to refer the matter to the clerk of parliament. “This is a premier who chose to table a member’s personal, medical information under parliamentary privilege,” she said.Palaszczuk said she was considering whether to refer the matter to the clerk of parliament. “This is a premier who chose to table a member’s personal, medical information under parliamentary privilege,” she said.
“It is completely unethical. It says a lot about the character of the man. If he’s doing it for a member of parliament, he could do it for any private citizen living in Queensland,” Palaszczuk said.“It is completely unethical. It says a lot about the character of the man. If he’s doing it for a member of parliament, he could do it for any private citizen living in Queensland,” Palaszczuk said.
Miller said she had never seen the document before it was tabled in parliament, and said she had not previously suffered a nervous breakdown. “For a leader to table such material is astonishing,” she said, saying the contents could have been concocted.Miller said she had never seen the document before it was tabled in parliament, and said she had not previously suffered a nervous breakdown. “For a leader to table such material is astonishing,” she said, saying the contents could have been concocted.
A spokesman for the premier denied Newman had tabled Miller’s private medical history.A spokesman for the premier denied Newman had tabled Miller’s private medical history.
Last November, the premier suggested that Miller’s opposition to the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission chairman Ken Levy could be linked to a falling out she had with him when he was her boss at the department of justice in 1997.Last November, the premier suggested that Miller’s opposition to the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission chairman Ken Levy could be linked to a falling out she had with him when he was her boss at the department of justice in 1997.