Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Jarrod Bleijie, formerly Queensland's first law officer in the LNP Newman government, has referred advertising executive and political commentator Dee Madigan to the powerful Ethics Committee of Queensland Parliament. The delicate petal, Bleijie, took offence when Madigan tweeted some footage which had aired on ABC News of Bleijie in parliament tearing up a piece of paper and throwing it into the air. Her comment was: 'Your taxes at work—a toddler tantrum from Jarrod Bleijie.'

As a lawyer and former attorney-general, Mr Bleijie should know that there is an implied right to freedom of political communication in Australia. The High Court has held that an implied right of political communication exists as an indispensable part of the system of representative and responsible government created by our Constitution. Bleijie has also tweeted parliamentary footage with his own commentary, and he loves a stunt. In 2016 he even entered parliament with a rat on his shoulder.

A healthy democracy is dependent on the free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens, candidates and elected representatives—even ones who walk into parliament with a rat! It is also the reason it's important to have a publicly funded and independent media organisation like our ABC. LNP leader Deb Frecklington needs to tell her precious petal to toughen up. As a first law officer, he should understand the importance of political free speech. If he can't stand some mocking, maybe it is time for this man-child to either grow up or get out of politics. (Time expired)