Labor vetting processes stepped up

An internal review into how Labor Party members are vetted has been stepped up after multiple party figures were accused of past misconduct.

Labor's State Secretary Evan Moorhead says a review into how thoroughly party members "confess their sins" has been stepped up after a number of recent allegations against the government.

It came after Mr Moorhead on Wednesday said further domestic violence allegations levelled at a member of the government in an email have not been substantiated.

The fresh allegations do not relate to Cook MP Billy Gordon, and detail claims of physical abuse.

The email was anonymous and apart from detailing a work history, did not name the person who committed the alleged crime.

"There's no one who fits that description that's either an MP or a staffer. So I'm really at a loss as to work out who the person might be," he told AAP.

Mr Moorhead said the initial email intimated it was a caucus member, but attempts to get confirmation had been fruitless.

The raft of allegations against Labor figures meant an internal review - begun before the Gordon scandal broke - into how candidates are screened had been stepped up, he said.

"We have a stringent vetting process. We ask people to confess their sins," he said.

"(But) with the premier's concerns, we've stepped that up."

The premier's office has said it is "seeking advice" after receiving the email.

Meanwhile, the latest Labor MP to be dragged into the ongoing muck-raking in Queensland's state parliament says allegations against him are untrue.

Pumicestone MP Rick Williams says a range of allegations regarding disputes with a neighbour, a Cairns law firm and Suncorp have either been unsubstantiated or resolved.

Mr Williams said he'd also previously disclosed a criminal charge dating back to 2002 - ultimately dismissed by a court - to the Labor Party.

Regarding the dispute with the law firm, he conceded he'd gotten angry and "said things I regret".

Quoting from his parliamentary address last week, Mr Williams said his past discretions had only served to make him a wiser man.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt also supported Mr Williams, saying there was nothing to suggest he shouldn't remain an MP.

After Mr Gordon's resignation, Annastacia Palaszczuk's nascent government now relies on the support of independent Peter Wellington to maintain power.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world