Miller slams 'pussycat' claims

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller MP.

File

IPSWICH MP Jo-Ann Miller has shot down claims she is a “pussycat” too scared to raise her concerns about privatisation with Premier Anna Bligh.

LNP Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek yesterday said the Member for Bundamba failed to voice her opposition to the policy at a Labor caucus meeting on Monday.

Referring to claims she made in The Queensland Times last week about her concerns with the asset sales, Mr Langbroek said she had “sold out” her constituents by keeping quiet.

“She curries favour with workers and their families by pretending to speak up on their behalf – but when the time comes, behind closed doors in the caucus room, she is silent,” he said.

“Jo-Ann may be a tiger in The Queensland Times, but she is a pussycat in the Labor caucus.”

But Mrs Miller rubbished the claims. She said when Mr Langbroek raised her apparent caucus cop-out in Parliament yesterday, Premier Bligh had set him straight.

“I know my voice is heard, I know that the Premier has heard it,” Mrs Miller said.

“I am concerned that “teddy bear” Langbroek seems to have his ears full of cotton wool because the Premier confirmed this to be so in Parliament.”

The “teddy bear” reference comes from Mr Langbroek's admission last year that he carried a teddy bear with him during his university days.

Mr Langbroek used question time yesterday to ask Premier Bligh if Mrs Miller had raised any concerns in the caucus meeting.

“Did we debate those issues in our caucus at the time? Of course we did. Were there people who expressed some concern and disagreement? Of course there were,” she said in response.

After the exchange Mrs Miller received letters from unions, including the Electrical Trades Union and the Rail Tram and Bus Union, thanking her for her stance.

Despite raising concerns with the policy, Premier Bligh said she was determined to carry on with the sale of state assets.

Leader of the House Judy Spence told reporters outside Monday's caucus meeting that some backbenchers had criticised Ms Bligh's leadership.

“There were a couple of members who did talk about leadership and they felt that the leadership was out of touch and that the leadership needed to do better,” Ms Spence said.

READ MORE ...

Assets still for sale

Unions quiet over labor row

MP disputes QR sale claims

Rail staff offered new deal