Labor puts pressure on 'lazy' Qld Nats MP

Labor frontbencher Jason Clare says Queensland government MP is the laziest politician in Australia over his trips abroad.

Liberal Nationals MP George Christensen.

Coalition MP George Christensen will not seek re-election at the next federal election. Source: AAP

Labor has branded embattled Queensland Nationals MP George Christensen the laziest politician in Australia over his frequent trips to the Philippines.

Mr Christensen spent 294 days in the southeast Asian nation during a four-year period, putting him under pressure from critics who accuse him of not doing his job.

Asked what he thought Mr Christensen was doing overseas, Labor leader Bill Shorten said: "That is one of the questions of the ages - the member for Manila."

Labor's northern Australia spokesman Jason Clare said Mr Christensen had put ads in local papers after Cyclone Debbie to create the false impression he was working.

"This bloke has to be the laziest politician in Australia," Mr Clare told reporters in Gladstone.

"I don't know about you but if you take 294 days off on holidays in four years, I don't think you deserve to keep your job."

Mr Christensen's partner lives in the Philippines and he has not disputed the amount of time he has spent in the country, but insists his travel was within the rules.

The outspoken Queenslander has referred $3000 of taxpayer-funded connecting flights within Australia to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.

He is under fire in his marginal seat of Dawson, which he holds with a notional margin of 3.4 per cent ahead of the May 18 election.

"He has lied to the people of Dawson," Mr Clare said.

"What I think would be just is if the people of Dawson in a couple of weeks time send George Christensen on a permanent holiday - that's what he deserves."


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Source: AAP


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