On Thursday 22 August 2024, I asked the Minister for Industrial Relations about her relationship with the CEO of Australia's banking lobby and former Labor Premier, and why this government was putting a union under administration, but not the big banks.
You can read my question and the answer below, or find the full transcript and video link in the official Queensland Parliament Record of Proceedings (Hansard).
Amy:
My question is for the Minister for Industrial Relations. The head of lobby group Australian Banking Association, Anna Bligh, was campaigning for the minister in the seat of McConnel on the weekend. Why is the minister and this government willing to put a union under administration to protect the public interest, but not the big banks whose criminality was exposed during the banking royal commission?
Minister for Industrial Relations:
This is such an irrelevant and ridiculous question that I do not even know how to answer it. I think I had some campaigners out in the city campaigning for me—and rightly so, because I stand up for my electorate every single day and I will continue to deliver for my electorate. My understanding is that Anna Bligh was walking past and the two people who were campaigning for me obviously recognised her, so the pretence of your question is actually incorrect with a lot of imputations. They knew that she was a very proud ex-premier of this state so the two people campaigning for me— as you would do if you saw anyone from your side of politics out on the street—
Labor members interjected.
Minister for Industrial Relations:
Sorry, Mr Speaker, that is actually offensive. I withdraw.
How do you make this question serious? Of all the questions you could ask me—about workers’ rights, about workplace health—you ask about two people who saw Anna Bligh, who was in Brisbane, and they took a photograph and they posted it. How shocking is that? That is the most shocking thing I have ever heard! You have come into this House and used the one question you have on the crossbench—
Speaker:
Member, direct your comments through the chair.
Minister for Industrial Relations:
[The Greens] are out there campaigning on all kinds of ridiculous things, and what do I get but a question about two people who are campaigning for me who come across Anna Bligh, take a photo and proudly post it on social media. How shocking!
Amy:
Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. My question was about why the government have not pursued the banks after the findings of the banking royal commission.
Labor members interjected.
Speaker:
Order! I need to hear the point of order, members. Member for South Brisbane, I
did not hear your explanation.
Amy:
The minister is not answering the content of the question, which was about putting the banks under administration given the findings of the banking royal commission.
Speaker:
Member for South Brisbane, reluctantly I allowed the question. There was some concern that it had very little to do with the minister’s portfolio responsibilities. I have allowed the question. I will allow the minister to complete her answer.
Minister for Industrial Relations:
Can I add that Anna Bligh is an ex-member for South Brisbane. When it comes to banking, sorry, it is not my portfolio. There are so many questions you could ask in this House about the issues that are affecting our electorates—the environment, sustainable aviation fuels, our 75 per cent emissions, our housing policy, our work for Queensland, our skills and training, our free TAFE and free kindy, our $1,000 off and our 50-cent transport fares. You could go on forever about the issues people raise when I go doorknocking. What do I get? Two people took a photo of the ex-member for South Brisbane—and this question came from the current member for South Brisbane, I might add, and that is disgusting—and I am asked a question about what I am doing about the banking sector. Apart from the fact that that is in the federal sphere, what a waste of a question. I cannot wait to let people know in my electorate.