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Qld parliament ends with slurs

Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says some MPs took debate too far on the last sitting night this week, and others "partied" too loud.

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Source: AAP


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On the final sitting night of a marathon week in Queensland parliament, some MPs turned to insults and others a late night "party" to let off steam.

It was the second time this week the state's politicians stayed back until the wee hours to debate controversial legislation which had been declared urgent.

While tempers frayed inside the house, others let loose on a balcony outside.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the revelry was so loud at times she couldn't hear herself speak.

"There was heated debate, very serious legislation, and people chose to party," she said.

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"The partying and the offensive behaviour (inside the chamber) last night are a sign of an arrogant Newman government.

"It was an all-time low."

Debate raged until 2.30am (AEST) on Friday before controversial laws passed that give the government powers to bypass the courts and lock up dangerous sex offenders indefinitely.

During debate Ms Palaszczuk accused Premier Campbell Newman of slurring his words.

When asked if she thought he had drunk too much she replied: "At the time I made those comments, the premier was slurring his words and I'll leave it up to the premier to answer those questions."

During the late night debate, the Deputy Speaker worked hard to keep a lid on the interjection and attacks.

In one interchange, the LNP member for Thuringowa Sam Cox accused Ms Palaszczuk of standing up for pedophiles by questioning the laws.

Mr Newman backed the comments saying: "they are so true", before being asked to withdraw.

Mr Cox then went on to accuse Labor MP Jackie Trad of the same thing.

A spokesman for the premier said there was no "party".

Some MPs who were not required to be in the House at the time were socialising, as MPs from all sides of politics do regularly during sitting weeks, he said.

"It is disgraceful that Labor is continuing to resort to smear and innuendo to divert attention from the fact they voted against tough new laws to ensure the worst of the worst sex offenders remain in jail," he said.


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