Controversial Queensland MP Billy Gordon is now one of the most powerful people in the state, the opposition says.
The Labor government and Speaker Peter Wellington teamed up in parliament on Tuesday night to defeat a Liberal National Party (LNP) motion to nullify the vote of Mr Gordon, who's embroiled in a sexting scandal involving four women.
The premier has since refused to call on Mr Gordon to quit parliament so there can be a by-election in his far north Queensland seat.
"That's entirely a matter for him," Ms Palaszczuk said on Wednesday.
"These matters have been extensively dealt with, we acted very quickly - he is no longer a member of the state parliamentary team."
Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek accused Ms Palaszczuk of breaking an election promise to restore integrity to parliament and of handing power more to Mr Gordon.
"The actions of the premier have effectively made the Member for Cook one of the most powerful people in this state," he told parliament.
Mr Langbroek took aim at Mr Wellington as well, a veteran independent MP, for helping defeat the motion against Mr Gordon.
"I think that your comments after casting the deciding vote last night also should be explained to this House and the people of Queensland," he said amid howls of disgust from the government benches.
The deputy opposition leader said Mr Gordon should heed the call of community leaders in his electorate and resign.
Education Minister Kate Jones labelled his speech "a disgrace" and said the opposition leadership's focus on Mr Gordon indicated they had no ideas.
She implied the LNP leaders were trying to force a by-election in Mr Gordon's seat because they were concerned about a possible spill by opposition education spokesman Tim Mander.
"It was a desperate speech, by a desperate man, who is trying to cling to his position," Ms Jones told the House.
"When we talk about jobs, when we talk about education, what do we get from the opposition? Ridicule, nothing, no policies and no collaboration.
"They are too busy focused on themselves."
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